Non-detained illegal immigrants in this country rose from 3.7 million in 2021 to over 7 million in 2023.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data, 425,431 illegal immigrants in this country are convicted criminals. This includes 62,231 convicted of assault, 56,533 drug convictions, 13,099 convicted of homicide, 2,521 convicted of kidnapping, and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault. 222,141 have pending criminal charges. This includes 1,845 pending homicide charges, 42,915 pending assault charges, 3,266 pending burglary charges, and 4,250 pending sexual assault charges. This data was originally provided to Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales.
In a statement, ICE said, “ICE recognizes that some jurisdictions are concerned that cooperating with federal immigration officials will erode trust with immigrant communities and make it harder for local law enforcement to serve those populations. However, ‘sanctuary’ policies can end up shielding dangerous criminals, who often victimize those same communities”.
President of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) RJ Hauman told Fox News, “Border Czar Kamala Harris has had nearly four years to protect America and failed…She is allowing tens of thousands of murderers and rapists to roam free. She puts criminals first and the safety and security of you and your family last.”
Last year, Chester County, Pennsylvania went under lockdown for two weeks when an illegal immigrant became a fugitive after he escaped custody. Then-34-year-old Danelo Cavalcante, who was wanted for homicide in Brazil, was caught and convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao to stop her from going to police about his charges in Brazil. He received a sentence of 15 to 30 years in addition to his life sentence without parole.
The Biden-Harris administration has overseen a decrease in deportations. In 2021, there were 59,011 deportations and 72,177 in 2022. While deportations increased to 142,580 in 2023, it’s still less than the Trump administration, which saw 267,258 deportations in 2019 alone.
A Pennsylvania Senate Bill was introduced this past March which, if passed by the full Legislature, could result in an increase in the deportation of illegal immigrants. SB 1127 would require Pennsylvania district attorneys to notify ICE about any undocumented immigrants who violate state law. These crimes include loitering or disorderly conduct. Senator Wayne Langerholc of Clearfield, co-sponsor of the bill, said, “This isn’t just a Pennsylvania issue, it’s a nationwide issue.”
The PA bill comes after illegal immigrants assaulted two NYPD officers, and several of the offenders had previously been arrested but not reported to ICE and subsequently released. It also comes after the murder of University of Georgia student Laken Riley by suspect Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela with family ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, which has been terrorizing cities nationwide. Ibarra crossed into the U.S. in 2022 and was released due to a lack of detention space. He assaulted Riley on a running trail, dragged her to a secluded area, and beat her until her skull was disfigured.
