Sponsors (12)
The bill empowers federal authorities to pursue life or death penalties for first‑degree murders by inadmissible/deportable noncitizens—potentially improving deterrence and uniformity—while expanding federal criminal jurisdiction, increasing federal costs, and reducing local prosecutorial control.
Law enforcement, federal prosecutors, and the general public: the bill makes federal prosecution clearly available to seek life imprisonment or death for first-degree murders committed by noncitizens who are inadmissible or deportable under the INA, increasing chances of federal conviction, creating uniform severe penalties, and potentially deterring violent crime by that group.
Noncitizens classified as inadmissible or deportable: the bill extends federal capital and life sentences to them for first-degree murder regardless of where the crime occurred, expanding federal criminal jurisdiction and raising concerns about prosecutorial overreach and unequal application.
Federal courts, the Department of Justice, and taxpayers: the bill will likely increase federal caseloads, trial complexity, and litigation costs as more murder cases move to federal court, diverting resources from other prosecutions and raising federal spending.
State and local prosecutors and law enforcement: the bill reduces local control over charging decisions and may complicate coordination with state systems, increasing the risk of duplicate prosecutions, forum conflicts, and operational friction.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes certain inadmissible or deportable noncitizens who commit first- or second-degree murder subject to federal murder penalties regardless of location within U.S. jurisdiction.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Morgan Luttrell · Last progress May 8, 2025
Makes certain noncitizens who are inadmissible or deportable subject to federal murder penalties no matter where in U.S. jurisdiction the murder occurs. It adds a new subsection to the federal murder statute so that aliens inadmissible or removable under specific immigration provisions can be prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 1111 for first- or second-degree murder, carrying the same federal punishments (including life or death for first-degree murder). The bill is short and does not appropriate funds, create new programs, or set implementation deadlines — it only amends the federal criminal statute and provides a short title.