Public Description:
The bill would create a new criminal offense for transporting or facilitating the transportation, harboring, or concealment of an alien (or attempting or conspiring to transport, harbor, or conceal) on board a “covered vessel” (i.e., a U.S. vessel [or vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction] that is less than 300 gross tons) knowing or having reason to believe that the alien is attempting to unlawfully enter the United States; would subject offenders to between three and 20 years of imprisonment and up to a $100,000 fine, with greater penalties possible in cases of serious bodily injury to, or death of, any person related to the commission of the offense; and would establish the following affirmative defenses: (1) the alien was on board pursuant to a rescue at sea, or was a stowaway or the entry into the United States was a necessary response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the alien; (2) the defendant, as soon as reasonably practicable, informed the Coast Guard of the alien’s presence on the vessel and the circumstances of the rescue; and (3) the defendant complied with all orders given by U.S. law enforcement officials.
To amend title 46, United States Code, to improve maritime law enforcement.
