Two Republican Senators from Texas have introduced a bill to enhance immigration penalties for individuals in the country illegally convicted of driving drunk and causing death or serious injury. The legislation, known as the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act, aims to designate such offenses as aggravated felonies under US immigration law. This move is supported by advocates who believe it will enable the authorities to arrest, detain, deport, and permanently prevent offenders from obtaining immigration benefits like asylum or a Green Card.
Senator Ted Cruz emphasized that this proposed law would address a legal gap that has hindered law enforcement from safeguarding Americans. He stated, “This legislation closes a legal loophole that has prevented law enforcement from protecting Americans.” Senator John Cornyn echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the bill’s purpose to send a strong deterrent message. Cornyn asserted, “Zero mercy should be shown to illegal aliens who not only defy our laws by unlawfully entering the country but also take it a step further to drive drunk, threatening American lives.”
The bipartisan bill has garnered support from Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who stressed the importance of accountability in maintaining a functional immigration system. Gallego highlighted, “We can’t have a fair, orderly, and humane immigration system without clear rules that prevent dangerous criminals from remaining in our country.” Additionally, several other Republican Senators have co-sponsored the legislation, emphasizing the severe consequences of driving under the influence and the necessity for deportation of illegal immigrants who commit such crimes.
The proposed legislation seeks to explicitly classify DUI or DWI offenses resulting in death or serious injury as aggravated felonies under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This classification would trigger mandatory deportation and permanent inadmissibility for the offenders. Advocates argue that existing enforcement gaps have allowed some offenders to reenter the United States and engage in further criminal activities. The bill has received endorsements from the Border Trade Alliance, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, and NumbersUSA.
