Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act Introduced in US Senate

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, legislation that would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States. This legislation, introduced in the Senate, is companion legislation to a bill introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) in the House of Representatives, called the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act.

Key Takeaways:

• The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act aims to prosecute illegal alien murderers in federal courts, and the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act aims to direct juries to administer the death penalty for illegal aliens who commit murders once the case has been prosecuted, tried, and a guilty verdict has been reached.
• The bills would allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison.
• The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views.
• Rep. Luttrell introduced the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act last May, with Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Tim Scott (R-SC) cosponsoring the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act in the Senate.
• Sen. Cornyn introduced the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act in May, which would codify President Trump's Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty.
• The legislation would perpetuate the legacy of President Trump's Executive Order signed on January 20, 2025, with Section 3(b)(i) stating that the Attorney General shall pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving a capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.
• The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens and would help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen.

Statistics:

• 0: Number of federal jurisdictions where prosecutors may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views that the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would close a loophole to address.
• 2025: The year in which President Trump signed an Executive Order restoring the death penalty and protecting public safety, which would be codified by the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act.
• 3(b)(i): Section of the Executive Order that states the Attorney General shall pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving a capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.

Sources:

• Texas Senator John Cornyn press release
• U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) press release
• President Trump's Executive Order "Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety" signed on January 20, 2025