The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 on September 11, 2025, in a 226-197 vote, imposing harsher prison sentences on migrants who repeatedly enter the country without permission or commit felonies after illegal entry. The bipartisan measure, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans, now heads to the Senate, where it faces a filibuster hurdle requiring 60 votes.
Introduced by Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), the bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to raise the maximum sentence for repeated improper entry from two years to five years. For those who enter illegally and are convicted of a felony, it mandates a minimum five-year term, with penalties up to life in prison depending on the crime’s severity. Named after Kate Steinle, killed in 2015 by a deported migrant, the legislation aims to deter recidivism and bolster border security under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation push.
Supporters, including House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), hailed it as essential for public safety, arguing current laws fail to hold repeat offenders accountable. The bill incorporates elements from Rep. Brad Knott’s (R-N.C.) Punishing Illegal Immigrant Felons Act, targeting violent criminals who evade deportation.
Democrats, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), opposed the measure, calling it cruel and ineffective. Jayapal argued it “explodes prison sentences for people seeking safety” without addressing root causes like asylum backlogs. Critics warn of skyrocketing costs, estimating billions in incarceration expenses, and potential constitutional challenges over disproportionate punishment.
The act aligns with Trump’s executive actions, including emergency declarations at the border, which have slashed illegal crossings by 97%. As Senate debates loom, the bill underscores partisan divides on immigration reform versus enforcement.
