# Plain Language Summary: Illegal Immigration Penalty Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill would create a mandatory federal crime specifically for people who re-enter the United States after being deported. If someone is caught re-entering the country illegally after a previous deportation, they would face a minimum prison sentence of five years in a federal prison. This penalty would apply every single time someone attempts to re-enter—so if a person is deported, returns illegally, gets caught and imprisoned, and then tries to re-enter again after release, they would face another five-year minimum sentence.

The bill also requires that if a deported person who re-enters is convicted of any other crime (state or federal), they must serve their sentences one after another rather than at the same time. So if someone is caught re-entering and also convicted of theft, they would serve the full five-year minimum for re-entry plus whatever sentence they receive for the theft, with no overlap between the two sentences.

The law specifically targets people who don't have legal immigration status and have been previously deported. This includes both people who entered without going through official inspection or admission processes and people whose legal status expired or was canceled. The bill does not appear to address first-time illegal entry—only re-entry after deportation. The practical effect would be significantly longer prison sentences for immigrants caught attempting to return to the country after being removed, compared to current law.

Illegal Immigration Penalty Enhancement Act of 2021

Nehls, Troy E.

Illegal Immigration Penalty Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill establishes criminal penalties for certain aliens who reenter the United States after deportation. Specifically, an alien who does not have lawful immigration status and has reentered the United States after deportation shall be imprisoned for not less than five years in a federal correctional facility. If an alien is convicted of this offense and another offense, the alien must serve the sentences for the offenses consecutively.