WASHINGTON DC (February 28, 2019) — Former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and others to introduce Singh’s Law, legislation that would bar foreign nationals associated with a criminal gang and convicted of a crime from entering the United States. Foreign nationals with gang associations also would be disqualified from receiving asylum, temporary protected-status, special immigrant-juvenile visas, and other forms of relief from removal. Additionally, the bill would grant the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to designate criminal gangs under the Immigration and Nationality Act and create a $200 million federal grant to law-enforcement agencies to combat criminal gangs. The bill is also cosponsored by Sens Marsha Blackburn, Kevin Cramer, and Thom Tillis.
The bill is named in honor of Corporal Ronil Singh, a police officer in Newman, California, who was killed on December 26, 2018. An illegal immigrant with known gang affiliations and two prior DUI arrests has been charged with murdering Cpl Singh. Several illegal immigrants have been charged with helping Cpl Singh’s alleged killer try to flee the country. Singh’s Law provides US law-enforcement agencies with additional tools to combat criminal gangs operating in the United States and ensures that foreign nationals with gang ties and prior criminal convictions are promptly removed from the country.
“No family should have to go through this. This law would protect other families from having to suffer the pain that we have endured,” said Reggie Singh, brother of Cpl Ronil Singh.
“The tragedy that befell Corporal Singh reminds us all of the price that American families pay for unchecked illegal immigration and inexcusable loopholes in the law. Cpl Singh came to this country legally to pursue a career in law enforcement and protect his community. By contrast, his killer came to this country illegally, exploiting border weaknesses, and committed the most heinous offense of murder. This bill, which includes language that I’ve authored in previous Congresses, would address a glaring loophole in the law and ensure that any convicted foreign national with gang membership or affiliation is swiftly deported,” Sen Grassley said.
“Cpl Ronil Singh immigrated to America legally, started a family, and ultimately gave his life in the line of duty as a law-enforcement officer. Cpl Singh was the embodiment of the American dream. He was shot dead the day after Christmas by an illegal-alien gang member, leaving behind his wife and five-month-old son. Cpl Singh is dead because we failed to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws. This bill is our attempt to honor Cpl Singh’s vast sacrifice and ensure our communities are better protected from illegal-alien gang members,” said Sen Cotton.
“Our immigration system should include laws that prevent people who represent a risk to public safety — such as those with criminal records and dangerous backgrounds — from entering the country. This bill helps ensure DHS has the necessary authority, and law enforcement has the necessary funds, to keep our country safe,” Sen Cramer said.
“We cannot allow illegal immigrants with known gang affiliations to stay in the US or receive asylum. This much-needed legislation will provide law enforcement with more tools and resources to combat criminal gangs and help keep our communities safe. I will work with my colleagues to pass this legislation in honor of Cpl. Ronil Singh and his family,” Sen Tillis said.
In 2017, the House of Representatives passed similar legislation targeting foreign nationals associated with criminal gangs. Representative Chip Roy introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
