Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and nine other bipartisan senators in introducing the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act. The proposed legislation aims to ensure that illegal immigrants who drive under the influence and cause death or serious injury face criminal penalties and removal from the United States.
“It’s bad enough to commit a crime by crossing our border illegally—but it’s beyond inexcusable for illegal immigrants to put innocent people in harm’s way by driving under the influence. We’ve seen far too many American lives cut short by drunk drivers who shouldn’t even be in our country, and we ought to use every tool in our arsenal to make sure these tragedies never happen again. The Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act will ensure illegal immigrants who hurt or kill people by driving under the influence are met with the full force of the law, and I’m proud to help introduce it,” said Kennedy.
“Zero mercy should be shown to illegal aliens who not only defy our laws by unlawfully entering the country but also take it a step further to drive drunk, threatening American lives. By strengthening current immigration law to hold these offenders accountable, our bill sends a clear message: If you enter the country illegally and harm innocent citizens, we will find you, we will punish you, and we will make sure you never step foot on American soil again,” said Cornyn.
Currently, some individuals convicted of DUI or DWI offenses can reenter the U.S. after deportation and commit additional crimes. The new bill would treat DUI or DWI offenses resulting in death or serious bodily injury as aggravated felonies under immigration law. It would also make those convicted of such crimes deportable and permanently bar them from receiving immigration benefits like asylum or lawful permanent resident status.
The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
“This legislation closes a legal loophole that has prevented and would continue to prevent law enforcement from protecting Americans. It will directly contribute to making our communities safer, and I urge my colleagues to advance it without delay,” said Cruz.
“Driving under the influence of intoxicating substances can have serious life or death consequences, and any illegal alien who chooses to get behind the wheel in such a state should not remain in our country. I am proud to stand with Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to ensure that illegal aliens who commit such crimes are deported from and inadmissible to the U.S.,” said Budd.
“Illegal immigrants who drink and drive put innocent American lives at risk and should face serious consequences, including deportation. This legislation strengthens our laws to close dangerous loopholes and ensure those who commit serious criminal offenses are swiftly removed from our country,” said Tillis.
“The Trump administration is sending a clear signal to all criminal illegal aliens: you are not welcome in the United States. Too many American lives have been taken because illegal immigrants who should never have been in our country were driving under the influence on our roads. I am proud to support Senator Cornyn’s legislation that puts public safety first, ends the cycle of excuses for criminal behavior, and ensures that illegal immigrants convicted of DUI are removed,” said Lummis.
“Driving under the influence and entering the United States illegally are both crimes that pose serious danger to the lives and livelihoods of American citizens. Any illegal who is caught driving drunk is doing both and should be immediately deported and never allowed to re-enter the United States. Our immigration and transportation laws must be enforced,” said Schmitt.
“People who are not legally present in this country should be removed, especially if they have been convicted of driving under the influence. Federal law should be clear that no illegal alien should ever have a second DUI conviction,” said Lankford.
“This common-sense measure is long overdue. Too many lives have been lost to reckless, drunk, and impaired drivers. We certainly shouldn’t add to that tragic number by allowing illegal aliens to have a pass for endangering drivers on American roads. Illegal aliens convicted of driving drunk and harming our citizens have no place in this country. In fact, these criminals should move to the very front of the deportation line and be on the first flight home. Full stop,” said Mullin.
“We can’t have a fair, orderly, and humane immigration system without clear rules that prevent dangerous criminals from remaining in our country. Drunk driving that results in severe injury or death is a serious and dangerous crime. Individuals who put lives at risk and endanger our communities should be held accountable,” said Gallego.
The Border Trade Alliance, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and NumbersUSA support this bill.
Senator Kennedy represents Louisiana in Congress and supports policies related to veterans’ affairs, small businesses and national security while serving on several committees including Appropriations and Budget according to his official website.
