The House has passed a Trump-endorsed Republican bill that significantly enhances the punishment for illegal immigrants who cross the border, particularly those who have previously been deported.

House lawmakers on Thursday passed House Rule 3486, which would allow the Trump administration to impose harsher punishments on illegal immigrants.

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House Republican leadership had fast-tracked the bill since Reps. Brad Knott (R-NC) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) introduced it this spring. The White House Office of Management and Budget signaled that President Donald Trump would sign it into law if it passed the House and Senate.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) applauded the bill’s passage: “President Trump’s bold actions to secure our border have demonstrated 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.”

The bill would change the Immigration and Nationality Act to punish second-time border crossers with up to 10 years in prison.

Illegal immigrants convicted of a state or federal felony while in the United States, but who have not been deported, would face a minimum five-year sentence. Illegal immigrants who committed a felony and were deported before returning to the U.S. would face between 10 years and life in prison.

“By targeting repeat offenders and imposing harsh penalties on violent felons who re-enter after deportation, this bill defends the rule of law and sends an unmistakable message: if you break our laws, there will be severe consequences,” Johnson said. “Criminal illegal aliens have no place in this country, and House Republicans are committed to uphold the integrity of our laws.”

The House Judiciary Committee amended the bill to include language from Knott’s Punishing Illegal Immigrant Felons Act.

“As a federal prosecutor, I encountered illegal alien criminals who repeatedly reentered the United States after deportation to continue committing crimes against Americans,” Knott said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “This pervasive trend will continue, causing endless harm, unless we implement serious deterrents targeting this class of dangerous criminals.… I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and urge the Senate to get this bill on President Trump’s desk quickly.”

The bill passed in a 9-4 vote before the House Rules Committee earlier this week. It is now headed to the Senate.

STATE-RUN IMMIGRANT DETENTION SITES GIVE ICE SPACE TO CARRY OUT MASS DEPORTATION AGENDA

Presently, illegal immigrants caught reentering the country a second time or any time thereafter face a federal felony charge that is punishable by up to two years in federal prison. The average sentence length is 12 months, Knott said.

However, not all cases are referred for prosecution to the Justice Department.