The majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives voted against a bill that would make a DUI conviction grounds for deportation for an illegal immigrant.
House Resolution 6976 – titled the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act – states a non-citizen who is in the country unlawfully and drives a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol would become inadmissible and deportable. Following a 274-150 vote, the House passed the bill on Feb. 1.
The proposed policy states “any alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired, as those terms are defined under the law of the jurisdiction where the conviction, offense, or acts” occur would be deemed ineligible for any form of legal status in the United States.
The law would apply to convictions or offenses considered to be a misdemeanor or felony under Federal, State, tribal, or local law.
In total, 59 House Democrats joined all the House Republicans in supporting the proposal. They include Texas Representatives Colin Allred and Henry Cuellar, Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego, New Mexico Representative Gabe Vasquez, as well as California Representatives Scott Peters and Eric Swalwell.
Congressman Barry Moore of Alabama, who sponsored the bill, told the story of a newlywed couple, Angel and Jeremy Seay, who were killed in a drunk driving accident involving an illegal immigrant.
“I knew them personally. Angel and Jeremy were riding their motorcycle together when an illegal immigrant under the influence of alcohol collided into them with his pickup. Their lives were cut dramatically short,” said Moore while speaking from the House floor. “Sadly, tragedies like this are not uncommon across our country.”
“Every 45 minutes. That's how often someone in the United States dies in a crash involving an alcohol impaired driver,” he continued. “In 2021 alone, there were 13,384 alcohol-related driving fatalities. In the same year, drunk driving crashes led to nearly 400,000 injuries and deaths. Those crashes don't discriminate -- it could be me, it could be you, or it could be one of our family members.”
Moore’s fellow Alabama representative, Congressman Jerry Carl, supported the bill but stressed the need for more security at the nation’s borders.
“While this is a good bill, we need to stop illegal immigrants from even being here in the first place,” said Carl in a message on X. “That’s why I’ve voted for the wall and for border security every step of the way so we can protect American citizens.”
Congressman Mike Bost of Illinois also publicly voiced his support for HR 6976.
“Earlier this week, I voted for legislation to deport illegals who steal Social Security dollars from American citizens or put people at risk by drinking and driving,” said Bost on X. “If a migrant is in this country illegally and commits fraud, or a DUI, they should be deported immediately.”
