"Treason": More than 150 House Democrats vote against deporting illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A majority of the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives refused to back legislation that would require illegal aliens convicted of sexual offenses be deported in a Wednesday vote.

The Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act was met with a "nay" vote from 158 Democratic members of Congress, according to Fox News. In spite of Democratic opposition, the legislation did pass the lower chamber of Congress in a 266 to 158 vote. All Republican members of the House backed the legislation.

In addition to mandating the deportation of illegal alien sex offenses, the legislation would deem illegal aliens convicted of sex crimes and domestic violence inadmissible to the United States.

Some progressive Democrats even went so far as to criticize the measure, which garnished broad bipartisan support in the House.
 

"Here we are again, debating another partisan bill that fear mongers about immigrants, instead of working together to fix the immigration system," Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal said of the legislation during floor debate. Jayapal likened the legislation to an attempt by Republicans to demonize immigrants broadly, rather than a specific set of felons convicted of sexual offenses.

"I probably shouldn't be too surprised. Scapegoating immigrants and attempting to weaponize the crime of domestic violence is appearing to be a time-honored tradition for Republicans."

Another progressive Democrat, New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, took exception to what he viewed as a lack of waiver authority for illegal alien sex criminals he deemed to be worth exceptions to the rule, according to the Washington Examiner.

South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, the sponsor of the bill, criticized its opponents for their attitude towards female victims of illegal immigrant sex crime.

"If you vote against it, you're sexist against women," Mace told Fox before the legislation's floor vote.

"I mean, truly, because we're talking about illegals who are here who are committing domestic violence, rape and murder on women and children — they’ve gotta go. They shouldn't be allowed into our country."

The legislation's prospects in the Democratic-controlled United States Senate are unclear.

Deportation levels have plummeted to historic lows during the tenure of President Joe Biden.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have carried out removals at a fraction of the rate practiced under former President Donald Trump, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. The lax attitude towards removals coincides with a record-setting influx of illegal aliens across the nation's southern border under Biden.