The U.S. House of Representatives has passed HR 3468, known as the Stop Illegal Entry Act, with strong support from Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). The legislation aims to address concerns over illegal immigration and related criminal activity.
“HR 3468 increases penalties for individuals who illegally enter the United States and commit felonies or unlawfully reenter the United States,” said Smith, a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Smith emphasized the risks associated with current immigration policies, stating: “Unfettered immigration seriously endangers the safety of all Americans, especially and including women and children, who are most vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking. It also threatens our economy and enables the smuggling of deadly drugs, like Chinese-made fentanyl, into our country. Those who engage in these practices will now pay a far higher price for their actions.”
The bill would raise mandatory minimum prison terms up to five years and allow life sentences for certain offenses. For individuals previously convicted of felonies before removal or those convicted multiple times for illegal reentry, mandatory minimums could increase to ten years with possible life imprisonment. These measures are intended to target human traffickers and drug smugglers.
“We must continue to reduce the incentives for illegal immigration and penalize those who arrive in the United States unlawfully and go on to commit violent crimes against U.S. citizens,” said Smith, referencing his earlier support for the Laken Riley Act.
“I am confident that this legislation will have a chilling effect on the millions of undocumented aliens who seek to illegally enter the United States each year,” Smith added.
He credited former President Trump’s efforts at border security but argued that congressional action is necessary: “President Trump has already made significant strides in shoring up our Southern border and curbing illegal immigration, but congressional legislation is needed to ensure that the President’s great work thus far is codified and cannot be easily undone by future administrations.”
Smith cited figures regarding border security challenges under recent policies: “The Biden Administration’s policies allowed 10 million unvetted, illegal immigrants to enter the United States—including those from countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Over 400 illegal aliens on the Terror Watch List were encountered at the border from 2020-2024, endangering millions of Americans.”
“This powerful legislation delivers for the American people, ensuring safety and security for all by cracking down on those who wish to enter the country unlawfully and commit violent crimes,” Smith said.
He urged quick Senate action: “I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass this critical legislation and immediately send it to President Trump’s desk. The United States must send a forceful message to would-be illegal aliens and criminals: an unlawful presence in this country will lead to a tough prison sentence.”
Rep. Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th district since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953, lives in Manchester Township, and graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BS degree in 1975.
