Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-9) today voted against H.R. 35, the Agent Raul Gonzales Officer Safety Act, which the congresswoman described as “another overly punitive immigration law measure pushed by the Republican majority.”

“Groundhog Day was last week but here we are in Congress voting on another extreme Republican immigration measure,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Americans rightly demand a secure border and fair immigration system. I agree with them. But this is yet another overly-punitive immigration bill that seeks to demonize legal immigrants in our district and represents a solution in search of a problem. I will continue to support fair, common sense immigration laws that will protect Americans and protect basic rights. This bill does more harm than good.”

H.R. 35 would make all noncitizens – including Green Card holders and Dreamers – subject to detention and deportation for fleeing law enforcement, even without a charge or conviction. Under current law, fleeing law enforcement is already an illegal act. This new legislation will not help protect our communities or secure the border.