On Friday, Jan. 24th 2025, U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) reintroduced the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act of 2025. This bill would require the deportation of any illegal foreign nationals that assault law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. 

The presentation of this legislation came directly following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, as well as the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which included an amendment that those who assault law enforcement must be detained by US and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). The POLICE Act furthers this, creating responsibility for ICE to not only detain but deport these individuals. The bill thus

strengthens federal law and the support for law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect American citizens and serve our communities. 

Sen. Budd originally led the POLICE Act in the 118th Congress, filing the bill in 2023 directly after Wake County Deputy Sheriff Ned Byrd was killed by illegal aliens. Senator Budd pushed for its passage in the Senate twice, but was blocked by the former Senate Democrat majority both times. 

As the crisis at the border poses continuous perils to civilians and first responders, this bill is aimed at lessening the danger that police officers and law enforcement individuals face, especially considering that the number of assaults by illegal border crossers has steadily increased under the Biden administration in the past four years. Senator Budd says that he has “serious concerns about the ramifications for law enforcement officers who are on the front lines dealing with migrants” and this necessitates that “there should be no ambiguity that assaulting a police officer is a deportable offense for non-citizens.” There must be accountability within the justice system which directly protects the men and women on our front lines, and the opposition of this bill essentially is a betrayal of these individuals and does a significant disservice to the well being of both American citizens, first responders, and legal immigrants alike. 

Although President Trump took office only a week ago, hundreds of undocumented immigrants have already been deported in accordance with his promise to address the border crisis. This is in accordance with his declaration that illegal immigration affects the lives of all American citizens and lawful action must be taken to secure the borders and mitigate the concerns to safety posed by such open border policies. 

The POLICE Act is co-sponsored by Republican Senators Thom Tillis- NC, Steve Daines- MT, Katie Britt- AL, Ted Cruz- TX, Eric Schmitt- MO, Bill Hagerty- TN, James Lankford- OK, Roger Marshall- KS, Cindy Hyde-Smith- MS, Kevin Cramer- ND, Jim Justice- WV, and Tim Sheehy- MT. Senator Budd’s bill also has a companion bill in the House, H.R.31, which is led by Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and also has several cosponsors. Senator Ted Cruz calls this bill “commonsense legislation” as it is just and fitting for the violent crime of assaulting a law enforcement officer. There must be accountability which is swift and effective, hopefully which also deters others from committing such harmful acts.

The stakes are high and only continue to grow, so for the safety of our communities we must push this legislation through. Please consider contacting your representatives to show support for the POLICE Act and for the first responders who work tirelessly to protect our country.