Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI/DUI) a ground of inadmissibility and a ground of deportability for any noncitizen. It adds language that an alien who has been convicted of, admits having committed, or admits acts constituting the essential elements of an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired is inadmissible, and that any alien convicted of such an offense is deportable.
Scope: Liberals see the bill as overbroad (even misdemeanor DUIs); conservatives view it as appropriate accountability.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear, narrowly drafted substantive amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act that creates new statutory grounds for inadmissibility and deportability based on driving-while-intoxicated or impaired convictions or admissions.
This bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI/DUI) a ground of inadmissibility and a ground of deportability for any noncitizen.
It adds language that an alien who has been convicted of, admits having committed, or admits acts constituting the essential elements of an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired is inadmissible, and that any alien convicted of such an offense is deportable.
The provisions apply regardless of how the offense is classified under federal, state, tribal, or local law (misdemeanor or felony).
By content the bill is procedurally simple and narrowly targeted, which helps its chances in a chamber controlled by members who prioritize immigration enforcement. However, it sits in a contentious policy area (criminal grounds for removal), lacks built-in compromise or mitigation, and would likely face substantial opposition on proportionality, due-process, and resource-impact grounds—factors that make final enactment less likely absent broader political alignment or significant amendment.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear, narrowly drafted substantive amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act that creates new statutory grounds for inadmissibility and deportability based on driving-while-intoxicated or impaired convictions or admissions.
Scope: Liberals see the bill as overbroad (even misdemeanor DUIs); conservatives view it as appropriate accountability.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Scope: Liberals see the bill as overbroad (even misdemeanor DUIs); conservatives view it as appropriate accountability.
A liberal/left-leaning observer would likely view the bill as an expansion of immigration enforcement that risks disproportionate harm to immigrants, including lawful permanent residents and long-term residents.
They would be concerned that making even misdemeanor DUIs automatically deportable could lead to family separation and that the provision about admissions could criminalize ordinary statements or plea negotiations.
They would note existing racial disparities in traffic stops and enforcement, and worry the law would amplify those inequities.
A centrist or moderate would see the bill as addressing a legitimate public-safety concern but would be cautious about its broad, blunt design.
They would appreciate a policy intent to hold noncitizens accountable for dangerous driving, yet be uneasy that the bill applies regardless of misdemeanor/felony classification and lacks graduations for severity or residency status.
They would flag practical concerns about immigration court capacity, discretionary relief, and uniformity across jurisdictions.
A mainstream conservative would likely view the bill favorably as a commonsense measure to protect communities by holding noncitizens accountable for dangerous conduct like drunk driving.
They would appreciate that the bill makes no distinction between misdemeanors and felonies, treating intoxicated driving as a disqualifier for admission and a basis for removal.
They may argue that immigration policy should reflect public-safety priorities and that noncitizens should face clear consequences for harming others.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
By content the bill is procedurally simple and narrowly targeted, which helps its chances in a chamber controlled by members who prioritize immigration enforcement. However, it sits in a contentious policy area (criminal grounds for removal), lacks built-in compromise or mitigation, and would likely face substantial opposition on proportionality, due-process, and resource-impact grounds—factors that make final enactment less likely absent broader political alignment or significant amendment.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Scope: Liberals see the bill as overbroad (even misdemeanor DUIs); conservatives view it as appropriate accountability.
By content the bill is procedurally simple and narrowly targeted, which helps its chances in a chamber controlled by members who prioritize…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a clear, narrowly drafted substantive amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act that creates new statutory grounds for inadmissibility and deportability bas…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.