In a rare display of bipartisan action, 37 House Democrats joined Republicans to pass legislation mandating deportation for illegal immigrants convicted of driving under the influence, while 160 Democrats still opposed protecting American citizens from this preventable danger.
Key Takeaways
- The House passed the Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act with a 246-160 vote, securing support from all Republicans and 37 Democrats.
- Current law does not trigger automatic deportation for illegal immigrants convicted of DUI offenses, a policy gap this legislation seeks to close.
- The bill is named after victims killed by illegal immigrants driving under the influence, including Jeremy and Angel Seay, and Officer Brandon Mendoza.
- President Biden previously stated that ICE should focus on felonies, explicitly stating, “I do not count drunk driving as a felony.”
- The legislation now requires Senate approval and the President’s signature to become law.
Bipartisan Support Signals Growing Concern Over Public Safety
The House of Representatives has taken decisive action to protect American citizens from preventable tragedies caused by illegal immigrants driving under the influence. The bill, introduced by Republican Representative Barry Moore of Alabama, passed with a 246 to 160 vote, with all Republicans supporting the measure alongside 37 Democrats who broke ranks with their party leadership. This rare instance of bipartisan cooperation highlights the growing recognition across party lines that current immigration policies are placing Americans at unnecessary risk.
The legislation, officially named the Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act, would make DUI offenses by illegal immigrants grounds for deportation. Currently, despite the obvious public safety threat, such offenses do not trigger automatic removal from the country. Notable Democrats who supported the bill include Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut and several moderate representatives who prioritized public safety over party loyalty.
“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 Moore
Bill Named After Victims of Preventable Tragedies
The legislation carries significant emotional weight as it bears the names of victims who lost their lives to illegal immigrants driving under the influence. Jeremy and Angel Seay, along with Officer Brandon Mendoza, represent the human cost of the current policy failure that allows illegal immigrants with DUI convictions to remain in the United States. These tragedies might have been prevented with stronger immigration enforcement and deportation policies for those who demonstrate a willingness to break American laws.
Republican Senator Tim Scott has championed companion legislation in the Senate, emphasizing the need for stronger border security and enforcement measures. Scott has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s border policies, which he argues have prioritized illegal immigrants over American citizens. The Senator has undertaken numerous initiatives to address illegal immigration, including visiting the U.S.-Mexico border to discuss immigration issues with Customs and Border Protection officers.
“President Biden’s willful act to protect illegal immigrants who break the law over American citizens is a disgrace,” said Senator Scott
Democrat Opposition Reveals Priorities
Despite the common-sense nature of the legislation, 160 Democrats voted against the bill, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. This opposition reveals the disturbing prioritization of illegal immigrants over the safety of American citizens. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania attempted to justify her opposition by claiming there was “no evidence showing a causal connection between immigration status and drunk driving” – an argument that entirely misses the point of the legislation.
The bill doesn’t suggest illegal immigrants are more likely to drive drunk; it simply establishes that those who are in the country illegally and then choose to further break laws by driving under the influence should face deportation. President Biden’s own words on this issue are particularly troubling, as he explicitly stated, “only arrest to deal with a felony that’s been committed, and I do not count drunk driving as a felony.” This statement directly contradicts the experiences of families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers who should never have been in the country.
“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
Path Forward for Enhanced Public Safety
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it has gained support from 12 Republican senators, including Bill Hagerty, Marsha Blackburn, and Marco Rubio. For the legislation to become law, it will need to pass the Senate and receive President Trump’s signature. Given the President’s strong stance on immigration enforcement and public safety, the primary hurdle will be securing passage through the Senate, where Democrats could attempt to block this reasonable public safety measure.
Representative Moore expressed surprise at the level of opposition from Democrats, stating, “It just shows that if it comes to anything about holding illegal immigrants accountable, even if it’s killing our own people in drunk driving cases, they’re against any kind of reforms on immigration.” This legislation represents a critical step toward restoring sanity to our immigration system and ensuring that American citizens are protected from preventable harm caused by individuals who should not be in the country in the first place.
