Cotton proposes bill imposing mandatory federal minimums for rioters and deportation for noncitizens

Sen. Tom Cotton announced legislation Tuesday that would impose a mandatory federal criminal sentence for people convicted of violent rioting and require fast deportation of those who aren’t American citizens.

The two bills come as Los Angeles faces pockets of clashes between demonstrators angry at President Trump’s immigration policy and federal, state and local authorities trying to protect agents and officers carrying out his work.

“Rioters of any immigration status who assault ICE officers and engage in acts of violence should face stiff consequences,” Mr. Cotton, Arkansas Republican, said. “My bills make clear that Americans will not tolerate lawless rioting in support of illegal immigration.”

The deportation bill would revoke visas and require deportation within 60 days of an immigration convicted of obstructing roads, misbehaving during a protest or vandalizing federal property.

The mandatory sentencing bill would create a one-year minimum sentence for anyone convicted of violence during a riot and raise the maximum penalty for rioting from five years to 10 years.

Assaulting a federal officer would also earn a minimum one-year sentence.