U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) this week led more than a dozen Republican lawmakers in introducing a bill that would authorize the deportation of illegal aliens who assault a law enforcement officer in the United States.
“I introduced this bill to ensure that we can hold criminals accountable for violence against law enforcement officers who are simply doing their jobs,” Rep. Garbarino said. “I am proud to stand with our men and women in blue.”
The congressman on Dec. 14 sponsored the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act of 2021, H.R. 6264, with 16 original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY).
“As the Biden border crisis rages on and illegal aliens continue to be granted access to this country at an alarming rate, I have serious concerns about the ramifications for law enforcement officers who are on the front lines dealing with these migrants,” said Rep. Garbarino. “Whether on Long Island or at the southern border, there should be no ambiguity that assaulting a police officer is a deportable offense.”
Rep. Katko pointed out that following a series of law enforcement roundtables in major cities across the country, he continues to hear how the crisis at the southern border is fueling crime in America.
“As illicit drugs pour across the border, violent cartel and gang activity is re-emerging in neighborhoods and schools,” he said. “As a former federal organized crime prosecutor, I’m incredibly proud of the work our law enforcement officers do under increasingly challenging circumstances. I am pleased to join Rep. Garbarino in this important effort and thank him for his leadership.”