House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) has expressed support for H.R.3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act, which was recently passed by the House. The legislation increases penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed, including fines and up to five years in prison.
Arrington stated, “For four years, President Biden abdicated his responsibility to secure the border and defend our sovereignty, blaming Congress for not providing the resources he claimed were needed,” said Chairman Arrington. “Yet within just months of President Trump taking office, the border has been secured — proving the issue was never about resources, but about leadership and willpower. The Stop Illegal Entry Act establishes permanent consequences for illegal reentry, ensuring lasting border security no matter who sits in the White House.”
Under current law, individuals denied entry or removed from the United States who later enter or attempt to enter without approval from the Department of Homeland Security face a fine or up to two years in prison. The new bill would require that those denied entry or removed three or more times who then attempt reentry could face up to 10 years in prison. It also increases penalties for those convicted of an aggravated felony or with at least two prior convictions before removal; such individuals could be imprisoned for at least five years and up to 20 years if they reenter or try to reenter.
The legislation is also known as Kate’s Law, named after Kate Steinle, a woman killed by an undocumented immigrant with multiple felony convictions and prior deportations.
Jodey Arrington has maintained strong electoral support in Texas’s 19th district over several election cycles. In 2024 he defeated Nathan Lewis with over 80% of the vote; similar margins were seen in previous elections against both Nathan Lewis and other opponents.
