John Cornyn (R-TX)
Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act
A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, called the "Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act," amends title 18 of the United States Code to establish jurisdiction over murders committed by certain inadmissible or deportable aliens. It specifies punishments for first and second-degree murder committed by these individuals. The bill aims to provide justice for victims of such crimes.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal power by asserting federal jurisdiction over murders committed by certain aliens, even within state jurisdictions.
The opposite
- Scored -7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets certain immigrants, potentially leading to discriminatory application of the law and impacting immigrant communities negatively.
- Scored -5
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
This bill could negatively affect the pathway to citizenship for some, as it specifically targets inadmissible or deportable aliens who commit murder.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- The bill seeks to provide justice for victims and their families in cases where certain inadmissible or deportable aliens commit murder (SEC. 1 & SEC. 2). This could be seen as positive because it addresses the harm caused by these crimes and aims to hold perpetrators accountable.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
The bill could be perceived as discriminatory towards aliens, as it specifically targets them based on their immigration status (SEC. 2). This might lead to concerns about equal treatment under the law.
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The bill broadens the application of the death penalty or life imprisonment for aliens convicted of first-degree murder, which may raise ethical and moral objections for some (SEC. 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets certain immigrants, potentially leading to discriminatory application of the law and impacting immigrant communities negatively.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — This bill could negatively affect the pathway to citizenship for some, as it specifically targets inadmissible or deportable aliens who commit murder.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal power by asserting federal jurisdiction over murders committed by certain aliens, even within state jurisdictions.
- 7/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina