Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 15: Two Republican senators from Texas have introduced a bill aimed at imposing stricter immigration penalties on undocumented immigrants convicted of drunk driving that results in death or serious injury.
The proposed legislation, titled the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act, seeks to categorise such offences as aggravated felonies under US immigration law. If enacted, the measure would mandate the arrest, detention and deportation of offenders, while permanently disqualifying them from immigration benefits such as asylum or lawful permanent residency.
Announcing the proposal, senator Ted Cruz said the bill addresses gaps in the existing legal framework that, according to supporters, have hindered effective enforcement. He stated that the legislation would enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals who commit serious crimes are removed from the country.
Senator John Cornyn said the initiative is designed to send an unambiguous warning. He argued that individuals who enter the country illegally and then endanger lives through drunk driving should face the strictest consequences, including permanent removal from the United States.
The bill has drawn bipartisan backing, notably from democratic senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who emphasised the need for accountability within the immigration system. Gallego said a fair and orderly framework cannot exist if individuals who commit dangerous crimes are allowed to remain in the country.
Several Republican senators have joined as co-sponsors, including Ted Budd and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.
Supporters of the bill stressed that driving under the influence carries life-threatening consequences and that undocumented immigrants convicted of such offences should face immediate removal. Some lawmakers pointed to cases in which individuals re-entered the country after deportation and committed further crimes, calling for stricter and clearer enforcement provisions.
The legislation has also received endorsements from advocacy groups such as the Border Trade Alliance, the Federation for American Immigration Reform and NumbersUSA.
While current law allows for the deportation of undocumented immigrants following DUI or DWI convictions, backers of the bill argue that enforcement inconsistencies have allowed repeat offenders to remain or return to the United States. The proposed measure would explicitly list DUI or DWI offences involving death or serious injury as aggravated felonies under the Immigration and Nationality Act, triggering mandatory deportation and permanent inadmissibility.