Rounds, Inhofe Introduce Legislation to Close Illegal Immigrant “Catch and Release” Loophole

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act. This legislation closes the legal loophole that requires immigration authorities to release illegal aliens back into the United States when they have not been accepted for deportation to other countries after being detained for six months, a practice also referred to as "catch and release."

“The failed policies of the Biden administration and the ‘catch and release’ loophole have created a crisis at our southern border,” said Rounds. “Our commonsense legislation closes this dangerous loophole helping to keep the American people safe.”

“Our immigration system is broken and President Biden won’t acknowledge the crisis we are facing at the southern border,” said Inhofe. “That’s why my colleagues and I introduced the Keep Our Communities Safe Act this week. This legislation would close the ‘catch-and-release’ loophole, which puts law abiding citizens, local law enforcement officials and communities at risk. Our bill will ensure that illegal aliens who have been found guilty of violent crimes and aggravated felonies are not able to remain in our communities. As the current law stands, an illegal alien with a criminal record is released back into the United States after six months if no other country accepts them for deportation. This bill is a commonsense solution and it’s time for it to become law.”

Rounds and Inhofe were joined by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).

Click HERE for full bill text.

###