Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 26, 2024 12:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Cabell |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Combatting the unlawful entry of illegal immigrants into Pennsylvania |
| Since 2021, the number of migrants unlawfully crossing the United States' southern border exceeds the individual populations of 38 states. In December of 2023 alone, more than 300,000 people crossed – making it enough to constitute the second-largest city in Pennsylvania. The scale of this influx has overwhelmed many border towns and strained the resources of border states. When a small fraction of these migrants were transported to major "sanctuary" cities in other parts of the country, local officials quickly recognized the challenges posed by these large numbers. New York Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the potential impact, stating that the migrants could "destroy New York City." The surge in unlawful migration has predictably played a significant role in several developing crises across the United States and this Commonwealth, notably in the rise of drug addiction and violent crime. In 2023, overdose deaths in the United States topped 112,000, marking the highest 12-month overdose death total in history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2021 Department of Justice report highlighted that 64% of all federal arrests in 2018 involved non-citizens, though they accounted for only 7% of the U.S. population at that time. While it's undeniable that many entering the United States seek better lives and opportunities, the country has recently witnessed a series of high-profile violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Over several months last year, incidents included the arrest of a Mexican national accused of drugging and raping at least ten boys in Tennessee; a Mexican national charged with the brutal murder of a Honduran migrant family near Houston, Texas; and six undocumented immigrants, three linked to the violent Central American MS-13 gang, charged with the murder of a boy in Maryland. In this Commonwealth, a Brazilian national and undocumented immigrant made headlines after escaping from prison, where he was serving a life sentence for the murder of his girlfriend in front of her children, leading to a significant manhunt. In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to create two criminal offenses relating to illegal entry from foreign nations and illegal reentry by certain individuals. Specifically, my bill will define that an alien commits an offense if they enter or attempt to enter this Commonwealth directly from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry. Furthermore, if an individual enters or attempts to enter the United States after having been previously deported, they commit another offense. Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to better protect our Commonwealth. |
Memo Updated: March 26, 2024 12:57 PM