Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 2494 - Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House)
(Rep. Garbarino, R-NY, and 16 cosponsors)

H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new ground of deportability for noncitizens who are convicted of, or admit to having committed, any offense involving assault on a law enforcement officer. The Administration supports the brave men and women who serve our country as law enforcement officers and believes that anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer should be punished appropriately. We are concerned, however, that H.R. 2494, as drafted, could potentially sweep up even non-violent or unintentional conduct, resulting in deportation of even long-term lawful permanent residents with otherwise unblemished records.