Rep. Miller, Sen. Budd Lead Bill to Close Loophole Exploited by Illegal Aliens Employed as Police Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), led several of their Republican colleagues in introducing the bicameral Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act today. The legislation is aimed at prohibiting illegal aliens who work as armed law enforcement officers from possessing firearms or ammunition provided to them by a government entity, such as a police department. This bill aligns with existing federal law that already prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition in the United States.

“Sanctuary policies in states like Illinois have gone so far as to allow illegal aliens to wear the badge and carry a firearm. That is a disgrace to every honorable officer and a threat to public safety. Law enforcement authority must be reserved for those who respect and uphold our laws, not those who are in violation of them,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“Illegal aliens have no Second Amendment rights. It is irresponsible for police departments to arm illegal aliens who have blatantly ignored our immigration laws with firearms and ammunition, let alone on the taxpayers’ dime. Federal law already prohibits those who enter our country illegally from possessing firearms, and it’s time we ensure illegal aliens working at local police departments are held to the same legal standard,” said Senator Budd.

“Illegal aliens do not have the right to possess firearms or ammunition in America. The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act would ensure local police departments that try to hire illegal aliens cannot provide them with guns or ammunition,” said Senator Blackburn.

“This is common sense. Illegal aliens who have already broken our nation's laws should certainly not be carrying a badge or a firearm. We hold our brave men and women in law enforcement to the highest standards and the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act will only bolster those standards,” said Senator Mullin.

“The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act closes a dangerous loophole by ensuring that individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States cannot be armed and sworn in as police officers  . This commonsense fix strengthens public safety, upholds federal law, and ensures those entrusted to enforce our laws are here legally,” said Congressman Gosar.

“Illegal aliens should not be allowed to remain in our country, much less become a police officer. If an illegal somehow manages to get hired by a police department, well… they’re a short walk to a cell when we find out,” said Congressman Higgins.

“This commonsense legislation addresses a serious gap in current law by making clear that illegal aliens in the United States – who have no right to be in the country in the first place – cannot and should not be entrusted with the authority and firearms of a sworn law enforcement officer. The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act reinforces the rule of law and ensures that those charged with enforcing our laws meet the same legal standards as every peace officer in America is expected to meet," said Congressman Roy.

“The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act reinforces a simple and necessary principle: individuals who are in our country unlawfully should not possess firearms or ammunition. This legislation closes a dangerous loophole while preserving commonsense exceptions for visiting law enforcement partners and lawful sporting activities. As a former law enforcement officer, I believe public safety must always come first, and this bill helps ensure our laws are clear, consistent, and focused on protecting American communities,” said Congressman Ezell.

“Illegal aliens are actively disobeying American law and corrupting American culture. Allowing illegals to be cops is ludicrous. Not only would it encourage narco terrorists to infiltrate law enforcement, but it would erode public trust and civil society. Enforcing American law requires American law enforcement officers,” Congressman Ogles said. 

“I’m proud to cosponsor the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act because the rule of law isn’t optional. We’ve seen outrageous cases in places like Illinois and within the New Orleans Police Department where individuals who were in this country illegally were handed a badge and put in positions of authority. That’s unacceptable and it sends the wrong message to the American people. If you’re going to enforce America’s laws and wear the uniform, you must respect our laws first, and that means being here legally,” said Congressman Moore.

"An outrageous loophole in federal law gives non-Americans more gun privileges than law-abiding citizens with Second Amendment rights. Through the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act illegals who are police have a statutory right to nationwide carry that is denied to every day Americans. What's worse, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, and perhaps others are already empowering illegals as police to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of American gun owners. Congress must pass the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act immediately, to prevent anti-gun states from using illegal aliens to enforce unconstitutional gun control laws," said Aidan Johnston, from Gun Owners of America.

Read the full bill text HERE.

Senate cosponsors: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

House cosponsors: U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.-09), Clay Higgins (R-La.-03), Chip Roy (R-Texas-21), Mike Ezell (R-Miss-04), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-05), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.-at-large), Barry Moore (R-Ala.-01), Randy Fine (R-Fla.-04), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.-04), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.-08), Russell Fry (R-S.C.-07), Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10), Mike Collins (R-Ga.-10), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.-02), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.-13), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio-06), Cory Mills (R-Fla.-07), John Rose (R-Tenn.-06), and Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.-03). 

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act has been endorsed by: Gun Owners of America (GOA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and Immigration Accountability Project (IAP).

Read more about Rep. Miller’s bill in The Washington Times.

Background:

Recent reports have revealed that law enforcement agencies across the country have hired illegal aliens to serve as police officers:

• In 2022, the California state legislature passed a law to allow illegal aliens to work as police officers. Reportedly, in 2023, about a dozen illegal aliens had been hired as police officers in California, including at such agencies as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
• ICE has arrested alleged illegal alien police officers around the country working for such agencies as the Hanover Park Police Department in Illinois and the Old Orchard Beach Police Department in Maine.
• ICE also recently arrested an alleged illegal alien police recruit at the New Orleans Police Department Academy in Louisiana who had been issued a firearm by the department.

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act preserves existing laws such that this prohibition does not apply, for example, to:

• Police officers from friendly nations visiting the U.S. for law enforcement purposes.
• Visitors specifically admitted to the U.S. for a hunting trip or a shooting competition.