WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced in the Senate the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, legislation from U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) that would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States, as Rep. Luttrell also introduced in the House of Representatives Sen. Cornyn’s Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty:

“Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants to come into this country and brutally murder innocent Americans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join forces with Congressman Luttrell in introducing each other’s legislation to deliver justice for the victims who were tragically ripped from their families at the hands of the criminal aliens by holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions and subjecting them to the death penalty.”

“America will never be a safe haven for violent criminals who enter our country illegally and murder those in our communities,” said Rep. Luttrell. “The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act ensures accountability and sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated. I applaud Senator Cornyn’s leadership on this critical issue and am proud to introduce companion legislation in the House.”

Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Tim Scott (R-SC) cosponsored the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act in the Senate.

Background:

The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act aims to prosecute illegal alien murderers in federal courts, and the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act aims to direct juries to administer the death penalty for illegal aliens who commit murders once the case has been prosecuted, tried, and a guilty verdict has been reached. 

Rep. Luttrell introduced the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act last May, and it would:

• Allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison;
• Close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views;
• And ensure those who are unlawfully in the U.S. and commit these heinous crimes do not slip through the cracks of the legal system due to jurisdictional challenges.

In May, Sen. Cornyn introduced the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty. This legislation would:

• Amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens;
• Help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen;
• And fully implement and permanently codify President Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” specifically Section 3(b)(i) of the Executive Order, which states that the “Attorney General shall, where consistent with applicable law, pursue Federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving … [a] capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”