Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, said Tuesday on Fox News that deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records shouldn’t be a “controversial” issue for lawmakers.
A new bill, known as the Laken-Riley Act, that would require federal immigration authorities to detain illegal immigrants for theft-related crimes passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday and is being sent to the Senate for a vote. On “Bret Baier Special Report,” host Baier asked the congressman about his colleague, Democratic Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who said the bill “demonizes immigrants.” Raskin said that’s why he won’t vote for the bill. (Related: After election, 6 Democrats reverse votes to support Laken-Riley law)
“I have a lot of respect for my colleagues in the House, but we just happen to disagree on this. To me, as well as my friends and colleagues in the Senate, it’s really like common sense here. I would like to remind everyone that there are hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants. [been] He was convicted of a crime,” Fetterman said.
“So why? I don’t know why,” Fetterman added. “Who would want to advocate for that to keep them in our country? Now, if you’re here illegally and committing crimes and such, it’s arguable why everyone should leave the country. I don’t know what you think.”
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In Tuesday’s House vote, 159 Democrats voted against the Laken-Riley bill. However, 48 Democratic senators helped pass the bill, which ultimately passed by a vote of 264 to 159.
“I was sitting in this same chair about a year ago saying, ‘You can be pro-immigration, but we need secure borders,'” Fetterman said.
“We have a serious problem here at the border and we have to address it. I truly believe that we can be pro-immigrants and we have to protect our dreamers. ” Fetterman added. “But I don’t see why it’s controversial that we need to deport immigrants here who are engaged in illegal activities. [these] Type of criminal act. I don’t see why that would be controversial to anyone. ”
During the 2024 campaign, President-elect Donald Trump said he would secure the southern border if elected. The number of encounters with illegal immigrants has reached an all-time high under the Biden-Harris administration. Incoming border czar Tom Homan says he intends to see President Trump’s mass deportation plan through to completion. Homan told CBS News on Sunday that foreign home countries that refuse to accept immigrants will not delay the process.
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