House Republicans, joined by 37 Democrats, just passed a bill that would deport illegal immigrants convicted of DUI offenses, striking a blow against Biden’s lax deportation policies that have put American lives at risk.
Key Takeaways
- The bipartisan bill passed 246-160, with all Republicans and 37 Democrats voting in favor
- Currently, DUI offenses do not trigger automatic deportation for illegal immigrants despite their deadly consequences
- The legislation is named after victims Jeremy and Angel Seay and Officer Brandon Mendoza, all killed by illegal immigrants driving under the influence
- President Biden previously stated that ICE should focus only on felonies, explicitly saying, “I do not count drunk driving as a felony.”
- The bill now faces an uncertain future in the Senate before potentially reaching President Trump’s desk
Bipartisan Support for Cracking Down on Illegal Immigrant DUI Offenders
In a significant win for immigration enforcement, the House of Representatives passed legislation mandating the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of driving under the influence. The bill, introduced by Representative Barry Moore (R-Ala.), received unanimous support from Republicans and garnered votes from 37 Democrats, demonstrating rare bipartisan agreement on immigration enforcement. The final tally stood at 246 to 160, with not a single Republican opposing the measure, while 160 Democrats, including senior leadership like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), voted against it.
The legislation addresses a glaring loophole in current immigration enforcement: DUI offenses do not automatically trigger deportation for illegal immigrants. This oversight has had deadly consequences for American citizens, which the bill seeks to remedy by establishing clear deportation protocols for illegal aliens who endanger communities through drunk driving. The bipartisan support signals growing recognition that public safety concerns must take precedence over protecting illegal immigrants who break additional laws after entering the country unlawfully.
Honoring American Victims of Illegal Immigrant Drunk Drivers
The legislation carries the names of Americans whose lives were tragically cut short by illegal immigrants driving under the influence: Jeremy and Angel Seay, and Officer Brandon Mendoza. These victims represent countless families devastated by preventable deaths at the hands of individuals who should never have been in the country. Representative Moore emphasized the moral imperative behind the bill following its passage, highlighting how it prioritizes American lives over protecting lawbreakers.
“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 Barry Moore, the bill’s sponsor.
Moore expressed surprise at the significant Democratic opposition, remarking, “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.” This resistance highlights the ideological divide on immigration enforcement, even when public safety is at stake, with many Democrats unwilling to support measures that result in deportations regardless of the circumstances.
Biden’s Troubling Record on Illegal Immigrant DUI Enforcement
The legislation directly confronts the Biden administration’s weak enforcement policies regarding illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Biden has explicitly instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to focus only on serious felonies, creating a permissive environment for other criminal activities by illegal immigrants. His own words reveal a disturbing disregard for the dangers of drunk driving.
“Only arrest to deal with a felony that’s been committed, and I do not count drunk driving as a felony,” said President Biden
Senator Tim Scott, who champions the Senate version of this legislation, called the Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act, has been vocal in his criticism of the administration’s approach. “President Biden’s willful act to protect illegal immigrants who break the law over American citizens is a disgrace,” stated Senator Scott. His bill, co-sponsored by 12 Republican senators, including Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, and Marsha Blackburn, aims to close the enforcement gap that has allowed illegal immigrants with DUI convictions to remain in the country despite posing clear dangers to communities.
Democratic Opposition and the Road Ahead
Despite the bipartisan support, a majority of House Democrats opposed the bill, offering arguments that many conservatives find troubling. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) dismissed the connection between immigration status and drunk driving, stating, “There’s no evidence in that hearing or report showing a causal connection between immigration status and drunk driving.” This position appears to deliberately miss the point—the bill doesn’t claim illegal immigrants are more likely to drive drunk, but rather that those who do so illegally present in the country and endanger Americans should face deportation.
“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,” said Senator Scott
The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Given the closer margin in the upper chamber, the legislation will require support from multiple Democratic senators to reach President Trump’s desk. However, the substantial Democratic support in the House suggests there may be growing recognition across party lines that protecting American lives from illegal immigrant drunk drivers is a commonsense measure that deserves bipartisan backing regardless of broader disagreements on immigration policy.
