House Passes GOP-Led Bill Mandating Deportation for Illegal Immigrants Who Assault Police Officers

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed a new measure requiring that any illegal immigrant who assaults a law enforcement officer be detained and deported, a move that drew strong opposition from most Democrats but also some bipartisan support.

The bill, formally known as the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, was introduced by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and passed with a vote of 265 to 148. Notably, 54 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the legislation, which the GOP framed as a defense of law enforcement amid rising concerns over violent attacks against officers.

Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2019, defended the bill as common sense and long overdue. “There is no reason that an illegal alien who attacks our law enforcement should remain in our country,” he said in a statement. “That shows zero respect for our rule of law or our institutions, and they will not be positive contributors to society.”

Under the new proposal, federal authorities would be required to detain undocumented immigrants who commit assaults on police until their deportation proceedings are completed. It also creates a new legal category of inadmissibility, ensuring that any non-citizen charged with or convicted of such offenses cannot re-enter the United States.

Republicans celebrated the bill’s passage as a victory for law enforcement and a rebuke to what they describe as the Biden administration’s weak immigration enforcement policies.

“House Democrats just voted to protect violent, illegal immigrants over our brave law enforcement officers,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). “Once again, the Democrat Party proves they are the most anti-law enforcement party in history.”

Democratic lawmakers, however, argued that the bill is politically motivated and overly broad. Several Democrats expressed concerns that it could result in deportations before due process is complete or that it unfairly targets immigrants based on allegations rather than convictions.

Still, a handful of moderate Democrats from swing districts voted in favor of the measure, highlighting the party’s growing divisions on immigration enforcement heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The bill’s passage comes as Republicans continue to highlight immigration and public safety as central issues under President Donald Trump’s second administration. Trump and his allies have framed their approach as restoring “law and order” after what they call years of lax border policies.

Meanwhile, the immigration debate has continued to shape broader political trends, especially as new polling suggests Democrats are struggling to convince voters they can manage the economy or national security effectively.

A recent CNN poll showed the Republican Party holding a commanding lead over Democrats on economic issues, despite months of criticism from the media and Democratic officials over Trump’s trade and tariff policies. The poll found that Republicans lead Democrats by eight points on which party voters trust more to handle the economy — a result that left CNN’s data analyst Harry Enten visibly surprised during a live broadcast.

“You would think that after all of the warnings about a recession, the volatile stock market, and all the tariffs that Americans supposedly oppose, Democrats would have pulled ahead,” Enten told CNN anchor Kate Bolduan. “It ain’t so.”

Enten pointed out that Republicans have consistently maintained or increased their advantage on economic trust since Trump’s return to office. “In May of 2024, right before Donald Trump was re-elected, Republicans had a nine-point advantage on the economy. Now, in May 2025, that advantage has grown to twelve points,” he said, citing Reuters/Ipsos polling.

He added that these numbers suggest a deeper structural shift in voter sentiment — one that favors Republicans not just on immigration or law enforcement but also on the economy, the issue most voters rank as their top concern.

“This speaks to Democratic problems on the economy better than basically anything you could possibly look at,” Enten said. “Even if Donald Trump’s approval ratings are a little bit lower than they used to be, Republicans are not out of the ballgame because they still have a clear advantage on the economy.”

Enten also noted that Republicans have made significant gains among middle-class voters, traditionally a swing demographic. Many of these voters, he said, are skeptical of both high government spending and lenient immigration policies, issues that Democrats have struggled to reconcile within their coalition.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, both parties are expected to sharpen their messaging around law enforcement, immigration, and the economy — three issues that polls suggest could decide control of Congress.

The Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act now moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. Senate Democrats are unlikely to bring the bill to a vote without significant amendments, though the strong bipartisan support in the House could increase pressure on moderate senators to take it up.

For Republicans, the bill marks not just a legislative victory but also a symbolic one — reinforcing their image as the party of law enforcement and national security, while Democrats continue to grapple with internal divisions and waning voter confidence.