Fighting to keep violent gangs out of the country, U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) led a bill on Friday that would prohibit foreign-born nationals involved in criminal gang activity from entering the United States.
The Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, H.R. 3697, would also detain and remove gang members already in the country in order to increase public safety.
“In Northern Virginia there have been at least eight brutal murders tied to the transnational MS-13 gang since last November,” Comstock said. “That is unacceptable, and this legislation will help get these violent gang members off our streets. MS-13 preys upon and intimidates those who have come to our country to seek a better life.”
Many members of violent transnational gangs are foreign-born nationals, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The legislation also seeks to bar foreign nationals who have taken part in criminal gang activities from being granted asylum, special immigrant juvenile status or temporary protected status in the United States.
Comstock introduced H.R. 3697 with U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Raul Labrador (R-ID) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) to ensure that law enforcers have the tools and resources to curb transnational gang violence.
“The Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act will give important tools to law enforcement like the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force so that they can effectively do their jobs to deport alien gang members,” Comstock said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this important legislation passed so we are safer as a community, Commonwealth, and nation.”
Goodlatte said lawmakers must ensure that immigration laws aren’t being exploited by dangerous gang members. “The Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act makes it clear that criminal alien gang members are not eligible to come to the United States and ensures that they are kept off our streets,” Goodlatte said.