{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-ernst-introduce-bill-to-deport-illegal-immigrants-convicted-of-sex-crimes/", "Ricketts, Ernst Introduce Bill to Deport Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Sex Crimes", "2024-10-02", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Pete Ricketts", "R000618", "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "ricketts", "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "scraper", "October 2, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants (BE GONE) Act. The bill, led by Ernst, would allow the U.S. to deport sexual offenders currently in the country and block those seeking to enter.\n\nThe introduction comes after a shocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report revealed that 16,320 illegal immigrants with sexual assault convictions are in the U.S. This legislation would also amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence as crimes that are defined as \u201caggravated felonies.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris administration\u2019s open borders policies have allowed violent sexual offenders to cross our border illegally then roam undeterred across America,\u201d said Senator Ricketts. \u201cThey should have never set foot in our country. Our bill will make sure these criminals are deported or stopped from ever crossing our border.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese violent criminals never would have entered America in the first place if we had real border security, but now that they\u2019re in our communities, they need to BE GONE,\u201d said Senator Ernst. \u201cSince Border Czar Kamala Harris won\u2019t protect this country, then I will. My legislation will combat sexual violence by ensuring predators are identified, stopped, and deported.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am honored to amplify and support the incredible efforts of Senator Joni Ernst on this bill. Senator Ernst has been the tip of the spear when it comes to enhancing our public safety,\u201d said Retired Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan. \u201cThis bill will hold accountable those who commit the most heinous crimes and ensure they are dealt consequences. That is something this country not only demands but expects from our representatives and as always Joni Ernst comes through for America.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful to Senator Ernst for introducing the BE GONE Act which will deport immigrants who have committed heinous acts,\u201d said NumbersUSA Director of Federal Affairs Michael Hough. \u201cThis is common sense legislation that Congress must pass, so criminals are identified and stopped to protect Americans.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-ernst-introduce-bill-to-deport-illegal-immigrants-convicted-of-sex-crimes/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.4072949308902025, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}