Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has introduced the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, a legislative proposal aimed at strengthening state measures against undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. The bill is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (District 33) and Representative Frances Cavenaugh (District 30).
Governor Sanders announced the legislation as part of her administration’s efforts to enhance public safety and support federal immigration enforcement. “President Trump made border security one of his top priorities, and in just a few months, he has done what President Biden refused to and nearly eliminated illegal border crossings,” Sanders said. “The Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act makes it clear: Arkansas will not tolerate violent, criminal illegals and will do our part to help the Trump administration keep our citizens safe.”
The proposed legislation introduces several key measures:
– Enhanced penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit additional crimes while in Arkansas.
– Expansion of Arkansas’ existing prohibition on sanctuary cities to include unincorporated areas and counties.
– A mandate requiring Arkansas law enforcement agencies to participate in the federal 287(g) program, which allows for closer cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and facilitates expedited deportations.
Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester emphasized the importance of the bill in reducing violent crime and ensuring Arkansas remains a safe place to live and work. Representative Frances Cavenaugh echoed these sentiments, stating that the legislation would help target dangerous offenders and enhance public safety.
The announcement follows a series of high-profile cases in Arkansas involving undocumented immigrants. In January, Arkansas State Police arrested Luis Danielle Valdez-Reyes, an undocumented immigrant accused of striking a state trooper. In November, authorities took Elias Avila Bustillo into custody—an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who was wanted in his home country for illegal gang activity. In September, a Little Rock nurse, Jennifer Ann Morton, was killed in a drunk driving crash involving undocumented immigrant Maynor Yair Sorto-Herrera.
In addition to state legislative efforts, Governor Sanders has taken steps to address border security by deploying Arkansas National Guardsmen to assist Texas law enforcement at the southern border. She has also made multiple visits to the border alongside other Republican governors to highlight state-led initiatives in securing the border.
The Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act is expected to be reviewed by the Arkansas legislature in the coming weeks. If passed, it would establish some of the strictest state-level measures against undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, reinforcing Arkansas’ role in supporting federal immigration enforcement efforts.