U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and several Republican colleagues in introducing legislation that would allow the death penalty for illegal immigrants convicted of murdering American citizens.
The proposed legislation, titled the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, aims to codify a previous executive order issued under President Donald Trump. The measure was unveiled during a Capitol Hill press conference alongside Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Tim Scott (R-SC), with additional support from Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Banks (R-IN), Jim Justice (R-WV), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
“This legislation sends a strong message across the globe: we will not tolerate the senseless murder of innocent Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants any longer,” said Daines. “I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to take decisive action and support President Trump’s efforts to make our communities safe again.”
During the press event, Daines referenced the case of Francisco Canales, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was charged with stabbing a 19-year-old man to death in Bozeman, Montana. He cited the case as a tragic example of what he called a failure of current immigration enforcement policies.
Supporters of the bill argue it would serve as a deterrent and a statement of national resolve to protect American lives. Critics, however, are likely to raise concerns about due process, equal protection, and the broad implications of applying capital punishment based on immigration status.
The bill is the latest in a series of Republican-led efforts to take a tougher stance on illegal immigration ahead of the 2024 election season, positioning public safety as a central policy concern.