Lawmakers Propose New Bill on Drunk Driving Offenses by Undocumented Immigrants
A group of lawmakers, led by Senator John Cornyn from Texas, is pushing for federal penalties aimed at undocumented immigrants who are convicted of fatal drunk driving incidents. The proposed measures would lead to deportation and a ban on re-entry into the United States.
The legislation introduced by Cornyn seeks to classify serious DUI offenses that result in death or severe injury as “aggravated felonies” under federal immigration law. In a statement, Cornyn emphasized the need for severe actions against undocumented individuals who not only enter the country illegally but also pose a danger by driving under the influence. He stated, “We must be ruthless against illegal aliens who…threaten the lives of American citizens.”
The bill, referred to as the Illegal Alien Drunk Driving Act, aims to update the Immigration and Nationality Act from the 1950s to include DUI and DWI offenses. This foundational law governs immigration matters such as visas and citizenship.
Cornyn argues that the legislation sends a clear message: breaking immigration laws and harming innocent people will lead to being found, punished, and barred from returning to the U.S. The bill specifically focuses on enhancing penalties for noncitizens convicted of drunk driving that results in death or serious bodily injury, regardless of whether those offenses are classified as misdemeanors or felonies.
The proposed changes would add to current laws, creating new aggravated crimes that would lead to deportation and ineligibility for immigration relief.
In making his case, Cornyn cited statistics from the Department of Homeland Security, which indicated that 15 people lost their lives in drunk driving incidents involving undocumented immigrants over the past decade. Additionally, he referenced a concerning example of an undocumented individual who had re-entered the country after multiple DWI convictions.
Besides Cornyn, a number of Republican senators are backing this bill, including Ted Cruz, Ted Budd, and Bill Hagerty, among others. Interestingly, the bill also has support from Senator Ruben Gallego, the only Democratic co-sponsor in the group.
