King Introduces ‘Kate’s Law’ in the 115th Congress

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing ‘Kate’s Law’ into the 115th Congress. Named in honor of Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman tragically shot and killed by an illegal alien who had several felony convictions and had been deported from the United States five times, this legislation would amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any illegal reentry offense. This bill was originally introduced on July 9, 2015 by former Congressman Matt Salmon.

“Parents should never experience the heartbreak of burying their child, but the Obama Administration’s commitment to lawless immigration policy has made that tragedy the new normal,” said King. “In his push for amnesty for criminals, the president ignored the price paid by victims – the price paid by Kate Steinle as she died in her father’s arms on San Francisco’s waterfront. Kate’s beautiful life was taken from her on July 1, 2015 when she was shot in the back by an illegal alien who had previously been deported five times and was seeking refuge in a so-called “sanctuary city.”

It is a disgrace that a year and a half has passed since Kate was tragically murdered and yet innocent Americans continue to be victimized by illegal aliens who repeatedly re-enter our country and are harbored in our own cities. It is time we finally act to protect Americans from these 100% preventable crimes, and Kate’s Law would help ensure that criminal aliens are deterred from illegally reentering the United States to prey on innocent men, women and children. I know that President-elect Trump will fight for the safety and security of the American people by actually enforcing our federal immigration laws. In the meantime, I will continue honoring the memory of Kate and working to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other American families in the future.”

To view my initial response to Kate’s death, click here.

To view Kate’s Law, click here.