In the near future, I intend to introduce a bill to mandate the imposition of the death penalty when an illegal immigrant is convicted of murder in this Commonwealth.  Since 2021, the number of migrants who have unlawfully crossed our southern border is greater than the individual populations of at least 38 states.  In the month of December 2023 alone, that number was more than 300,000 people – itself enough to be the second-largest city in Pennsylvania.  Predictably, the surge in unlawful migration has played a significant role in several developing crises throughout the United States and this Commonwealth, including the rise in violent crime. 
 
Indeed, our country has recently witnessed a rash of high-profile, violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants who entered our country with mal intent.  Within the course of several months, a Venezuelan national imprisoned, raped, and murdered 22-year-old University of Georgia student Laken Riley; a Mexican national was arrested by police after being accused of drugging and raping at least ten children in Tennessee; a Mexican national was arrested and charged with brutally murdering an entire family of Honduran migrants near Houston, Texas; and six illegal immigrants – three of whom were members of the violent Central American MS-13 gang – were charged with the murder of a boy in Maryland.  In this Commonwealth, a Brazilian national and illegal immigrant made national headlines after escaping from a prison where he was serving a life sentence for killing his girlfriend in front of her small children and leading police on a colossal manhunt. 
 
At a time when the Federal government has demonstrated an unmistakable aversion to countering this ever-increasing surge in illegal immigration and some district attorneys of this Commonwealth refuse to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detainers, drastic measures are needed to deter violent crime and illegal migration, promote justice for victims and their families, and ensure uniformity in punishment.  I believe that any individual who unlawfully enters this country and commits a murder should face the most severe consequences under our laws.  This legislation demonstrates that the House of Representatives is, unlike the Federal Government, willing to protect its citizens and ensure justice for victims. 
 
Please join me in supporting this important legislation to better protect our Commonwealth. 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0938: 42-9711(a)