As stories of illegal immigrants-turned-squatters make national headlines, a new bill in Congress would make it a deportable offense for foreign nationals to squat in American homes.
The bill, dubbed SHIELD (Safeguarding Homes from Illegal Entry, Living and Dwelling) Act, was introduced Friday by Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.). The two-page proposal designates trespassing as grounds on which foreigners can be expelled and permanently banned from admission into the United States.
If Congress doesn’t take action, Mr. Meuser warned, people will continue to come to the United States illegally and live as squatters.
“The dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrants squatting in American homes is yet another example of how the disastrous situation at our southern border is impacting communities across the country,” the congressman said in a statement announcing the bill. “This legislation will serve as a deterrent to illegal aliens contemplating violating the homes and properties of American citizens.”…
