The House of Representatives has passed a decisive bill requiring the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of DUI, with 37 Democrats breaking ranks to support the measure despite widespread opposition from their party leadership.
Key Takeaways
- The House passed the “Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act” with a 246-160 vote, receiving unanimous Republican support and backing from 37 Democrats.
- The bill would make DUI offenses grounds for automatic deportation of illegal immigrants, closing a loophole in current immigration enforcement.
- President Biden previously stated he does not consider DUI a felony worthy of immigration enforcement, directing ICE to focus only on other crimes.
- The legislation is named after victims killed by illegal immigrants driving under the influence, including Jeremy and Angel Seay and Officer Brandon Mendoza.
- The bill now requires Senate approval and the President’s signature to become law.
Bipartisan Support for Deporting Illegal Immigrant Drunk Drivers
A significant bill targeting illegal immigrants who endanger American lives through drunk driving has gained notable bipartisan traction in the House. Introduced by Representative Barry Moore (R-Ala.), the legislation passed with a vote of 246 to 160, securing support from all Republican representatives and 37 Democrats who broke with their party leadership. The bill addresses a critical public safety concern by establishing DUI convictions as grounds for deportation, closing a significant enforcement gap in current immigration policy that has allowed many dangerous offenders to remain in the country.
“Today’s vote in the House sends a clear message: if you are a guest in this country, and you break our laws and put American lives at risk by driving under the influence, there will be consequences,” said Representative Moore. The legislation’s name honors multiple victims of drunk driving incidents involving illegal immigrants, including Jeremy and Angel Seay and Officer Brandon Mendoza, highlighting the human cost of the current enforcement gap.
Biden Administration’s Controversial Position
The new legislation directly challenges the Biden administration’s current immigration enforcement priorities. President Biden has explicitly instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to limit deportation efforts to serious felonies, specifically excluding drunk driving from that category. “Only arrest to deal with a felony that’s been committed, and I do not count drunk driving as a felony,” President Biden stated, as reported by Senator Tim Scott’s office.
“President Biden’s willful act to protect illegal immigrants who break the law over American citizens is a disgrace,” said Senator Scott, who champions the companion legislation in the Senate. “As migrant crime spikes, this bill allows law enforcement to keep our streets and civilians safe. It is time Congress comes together to put the American people, and the safety of our communities, above all else.” Senator Scott.
Democrat Opposition Despite Public Safety Concerns
While 37 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, 160 Democrats voted against it, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and other senior Democratic leaders. Opposition to the bill was framed by some Democrats as resistance to what they characterized as fearmongering rather than substantive immigration reform. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) claimed during debate that there was “absolutely no evidence” showing any connection between immigration status and drunk driving.
“It just shows that if it comes to anything about holding illegal immigrants accountable, even if it’s killing our people in drunk driving cases, they’re against any kind of reforms on immigration,” said Representative Moore, expressing surprise at the level of Democratic opposition to what many view as a common-sense public safety measure.
Path Forward to Senate and Beyond
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it faces additional scrutiny. The Senate version of the bill has already gained support from twelve Republican senators, including Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, and Marsha Blackburn, but will require bipartisan backing to overcome potential procedural hurdles. If passed by the Senate, President Trump would need to sign the bill into law, putting an end to the current policy that has allowed illegal immigrants convicted of DUI to remain in the country despite the clear danger they pose to American citizens.
The passage of this bill represents part of a broader effort to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement that has gained momentum in Congress. Senator Scott has been particularly active in this area, supporting multiple initiatives, including the CONTAINER Act, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, and measures to combat the fentanyl crisis by targeting supply chains that operate through porous borders.
