U.S. Senator Katie Britt has introduced legislation which would make assaulting first responders a deportable offense if committed by an undocumented individual. Federal law currently allows for removal proceedings and deportation of undocumented immigrants and foreign nationals who have been convicted of an aggravated felony, which includes assault.

Britt announced the introduction of the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act in a press release sent to The Times on Monday, Jan. 27.

The bill states, “Any alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of, any offense involving assault of a law enforcement officer is deportable.”

“Americans should be able to agree that if you break our laws after coming here illegally, you should be quickly removed from our nation,” Britt said in the release. “… [this] legislation would ensure our brave law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders are strongly protected.”

Messages left with Britt’s office seeking clarification on the differences between current law and the proposed law were not returned.

Britt’s announcement fell one week after Trump issued nearly 1,500 pardons for individuals who had been charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Twenty-two Alabamians were included in the list of those who received pardons, nearly a dozen of whom had been convicted of either assaulting law enforcement officers or possessing deadly weapons during the riot.

A spokeswoman for Britt did not respond to The Times’ question seeking clarification on whether Britt condoned those pardons.

When reached by The Times on Monday, Jan. 27, Hanceville Police Chief Jason Marlin said he “did not condone violence against any human, especially police officers.”

“In my opinion, if somebody commits a violent act against a citizen then they need to pay and be punished, especially if they commit violence against a police officer,” Marlin said. “We definitely don’t need people thinking they can commit violent crimes and get a pardon or that they’re not going to suffer the consequences. It’s just not right.”

Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and District Attorney Champ Crocker did not respond to The Times’ request to comment on the pardons.

Cullman City Police Chief Joey Duncan declined to comment.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.