(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider Congressman Baron Hill’s Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act, H.R. 1029, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.  Hill reintroduced this legislation in the 111th Congress after it was unanimously passed by the House last year, yet never became law. 

“I reintroduced this bill because I believe it is an issue of the utmost importance,” Hill said.  “And, I will work even harder this Congress to make sure it becomes law.”

H.R. 1029 responds to the needs of federal prosecutors and agents in detaining and sentencing individuals illegally smuggling persons into the United States.  The bill gives law enforcement, at all levels, the tools they need to detain and fully prosecute those found guilty of smuggling individuals across the border into the United States.  The bill also significantly enhances penalties for alien smuggling – the crime is raised from a misdemeanor to a felony under this bill. 

“I have heard from law enforcement all across the country that existing penalties for alien smuggling are insufficient and too complex to appropriately punish alien smugglers,” Hill said.  “This bill is a direct response to address such concerns while also enhancing our borders.”

In addition, the bill sets a five-year minimum prison sentence for most alien smugglers.  But, prison terms become much longer if the smuggler exposes individuals to high risk of injury or death such as kidnapping, raping or concealing them.

“More than 17,000 individuals were illegally trafficked into this country last year,” Hill said.  “This is a serious violation of our border laws.  I believe this bill will not only prosecute offenders, but act as a deterrent for illegal alien smugglers, and therefore greatly cut down on illegal immigration.”