Crenshaw Proposes Bill Targeting Immigrants During Riots
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) has put forward a new bill, known as Bill 3859, aimed at addressing situations where immigrants attack law enforcement during riots. This proposal follows the riots in Los Angeles related to immigration enforcement.
“America operates under the rule of law, not chaos,” Crenshaw stated. “If you’re here as a guest and you choose to attack police officers or damage property during a riot, you’ve made a clear decision.”
Named the Riot Act, this legislation intends to impose severe consequences on non-citizens who engage in violence against law enforcement or vandalism during riots or emergencies. Should the bill be enacted and receive approval from President Donald Trump, it would mandate deportation for immigrants convicted of these offenses and label such individuals as permanently inadmissible. This measure encompasses all non-citizens, including DACA recipients and legal permanent residents, who would also be detained throughout the deportation process.
“The Riot Act ensures there are real repercussions: mandatory detention, deportation, and permanent removal,” Crenshaw emphasized in his writing. “While we uphold the right to peaceful protest, if you take that opportunity to assault officers or set police cars on fire, you’re not acting as a U.S. citizen.”
As noted on Congress.gov, the bill has garnered support from 22 co-sponsors, including:
- Randy Weber (R-TX)
- Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
- Mike Collins (R-GA)
- Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
- Chuck Edwards (R-NC)
- Pete Sessions (R-TX)
- John McGuire (R-VA)
- Ronnie Jackson (R-TX)
- Derrick Van Orden (R-WI)
- Byron Donald (R-FL)
- Mark Mesmer (R-IA)
- Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
- Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
- Barry Moore (R-AL)
- Pat Harrigan (R-NC)
- Brendan Gill (R-TX)
- Claudia Tenney (R-NY)
- Tim Burchett (R-TN)
Crenshaw outlined key provisions of the Riot Act:
- Non-citizens could face deportation if convicted of vandalizing law enforcement or military personnel, or public property during a riot or state of emergency.
- This applies to undocumented individuals, DACA beneficiaries, and legal permanent residents.
- It mandates enforcement during federally, state, or locally declared emergencies.
