H.R.875 - Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. The amendment focuses on making aliens convicted of or admitting to driving while intoxicated or impaired inadmissible and deportable from the United States.
The bill broadens the grounds for inadmissibility and deportability by including offenses related to driving while intoxicated or impaired, regardless of whether they are classified as misdemeanors or felonies.
The Act passed the House of Representatives on June 26, 2025.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased enforcement against non-citizens who commit DUI offenses. This could lead to more deportations and prevent individuals with DUI convictions from entering the United States.
It may also lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges regarding the definition and application of 'driving while intoxicated or impaired' across different jurisdictions.
This bill will likely impact immigration courts and related agencies, potentially increasing their workload.
Potential Benefits 4/5
- Enhanced public safety by removing individuals who pose a risk of drunk driving.
- Potential reduction in alcohol-related incidents involving non-citizens.
- Increased accountability for non-citizens who violate DUI laws.
- Symbolic support for victims of drunk driving and their families.
- Alignment with efforts to reduce drunk driving incidents nationwide.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for disproportionate impact on certain communities.
- Possible strain on immigration courts and resources.
- Risk of unintended consequences, such as separating families.
- Concerns about the definition and application of 'driving while intoxicated or impaired' across different jurisdictions.
- Could be perceived as discriminatory if not implemented fairly.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment 4/5
The bill aligns with the federal government's power to regulate immigration and naturalization, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution. This clause grants Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process, which would require fair procedures in determining inadmissibility and deportability. The Eighth Amendment, prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment, is unlikely to be implicated as deportation is generally considered an administrative rather than punitive measure.
However, the application of the law must adhere to equal protection principles under the Fourteenth Amendment, ensuring that it is not applied in a discriminatory manner.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).