SAFE Act Amended to Make Unlawful Presence In the US a Federal Crime Griselda Nevarez - VOXXI
go to original June 19, 2013

Jackelin Alfaro, 4, in a t-shirt that reads “Don’t Deport my Dad” sits outside the House Judiciary Committee surrounded by family, as the committee discussed the SAFE Act on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

In its deepest dive yet into immigration reform, the House Judiciary Committee has approved the SAFE Act, a controversial enforcement-centered bill that is being rejected by Democrats and immigrant rights groups. One of the bill’s most controversial parts? Trying to make undocumented immigrants federal criminals.

During markup on Tuesday, the House committee approved — on a 21-16 party-line vote — an amendment to the bill that would make an unlawful presence in the United States a federal crime. Unlawful presence is currently considered a civil offense. The amendment was proposed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

The SAFE Act — which stands for Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act — would allow states to enact and enforce their own immigration laws as long as they’re consistent with federal law. It would also allow local police officers to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law. At the end of the day, the committee approved the bill in a late-night, 20-15 vote.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who said the bill “represents a common sense approach to the enforcement of our nation’s laws.”

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