The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the "Stop Illegal Entry Act" to increase penalties and deter people from illegally entering the United States.

Migrants walk along the United States side of the border wall with Mexico in March 2024. The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the "Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025," which increases potential prison sentences for those who are convicted of repeatedly illegally entering the United States. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI UPI

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the "Stop Illegal Entry Act," which increases potential prison sentences for those who are convicted of repeatedly illegally entering the United States.

The proposed Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 is part of the Trump administration's and the GOP's efforts to discourage illegal immigration and related crimes.

Eleven Democrats joined with Republicans to approve House Resolution 3486, 226-197, and sent the measure to the Senate, where a similar measure has been introduced, Roll Call reported.

"The Biden Administration let over 10 million illegal immigrants into the country and failed to prosecute those who defied U.S.immigration law," said sponsor Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla.

"These individuals included people from countries designated as state sponsors of terror, with 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List being encountered at the border," Bice continued.

"We must deter future illegal immigration and give our law enforcement and border patrol officers the tools they need to hold dangerous criminals accountable."

The measure would set a mandatory prison sentence of at least five years and up to life for those who are convicted of a felony after illegally entering the nation.

The resolution also increases to five years the prior maximum sentence of two years for those convicted of repeated illegal entry.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the measure includes "common-sense provisions" that deter illegal entry into the United States.

"Deterrence is an effective method of prevention, and the Stop Illegal Entry Act delivers the enforcement measures necessary to help strengthen law and order at our border," Johnson said.

American Civil Liberties Union officials oppose the measure's passage and in a press release said H.R. 3486 "would impose extreme prison sentences" on asylum seekers, teenagers and people trying to reunite with their families.

"H.R. 3486 would supercharge President Trump's reckless deportation drive, which is already damaging our economy and destabilizing communities," said Mike Zamore, ACLU national director of policy and government affairs.

"This legislation would hand the Trump administration more tools to criminalize immigrants and terrorize communities at the same time they are deploying federal agents and the military to our streets," he continued.

"It would also undermine public safety by diverting more resources away from youth services and prevention programs that actually improve community safety."