Sen. Jim Banks wants visa overstays classified as illegal entrants after attack

A new bill proposed by Senator Jim Banks, R-Ind., aims to hold individuals who overstay their visas to the same standard as illegal immigrants. In the aftermath of the tragic events in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national with an expired visa targeted a pro-Israel protest, Banks is pushing for stricter penalties for visa overstays.

The bill, set to be introduced on Tuesday, would reclassify the act of overstaying a visa as “illegal entry,” treating those who stay beyond their authorized time in the U.S. as if they had entered the country illegally. This move comes in response to incidents like the Boulder attack and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, where individuals overstayed their visas.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian national involved in the Boulder attack whose visa had expired in March, is a prime example cited by Banks. Soliman, who came to the U.S. under a work visa issued by the Biden-led Department of Homeland Security, is now facing federal charges for a targeted terror attack that left multiple individuals injured.

The proposed legislation would make visa overstays a misdemeanor criminal offense, with penalties including up to six months in jail for first-time offenders and up to two years for subsequent offenses. Civil penalties would also be increased, ranging from $500 to $1000, with penalties doubling for repeat offenders. Currently, the penalties for visa overstays start at $50.

The Department of Homeland Security’s latest data from fiscal 2023 shows that over 565,000 people overstayed their visas, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement measures. Banks believes that cracking down on visa overstays with criminal penalties is crucial to preventing potential threats before they materialize.

The Boulder attack, which targeted a group advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas, has been condemned as a hate crime and labeled a “targeted terror attack” by the FBI. Soliman faces a total of 624 years in prison for charges including attempted murder and assault.

In conclusion, Senator Banks’ proposed bill seeks to address the issue of visa overstays by imposing harsher penalties on offenders. By treating visa overstays as a serious offense, the legislation aims to enhance national security and prevent future incidents like the tragedy in Boulder.