U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, both Republicans from Texas, have introduced the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen immigration laws by ensuring that individuals who are in the United States illegally and are convicted of drunk driving resulting in death or serious injury can be arrested, detained, and removed as aggravated felons. The bill also seeks to permanently bar those found guilty from obtaining any form of immigration status, including asylum or a Green Card.
Senator Cruz stated, “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.”
Senator Cornyn added, “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.”
The bill is supported by organizations such as the Border Trade Alliance, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and NumbersUSA.
Other senators cosponsoring the legislation include Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).
Senator Gallego said, “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.”
Senator Budd commented,“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.”
Senator Tillis noted,“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.”
Senator Lummis stated,“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 John 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.”
Senator Kennedy said,“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.”
Senator Schmitt remarked,“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.”
Senator Lankford added,“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.”
Senator Mullin said,"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."
According to background information provided with this legislative proposal: while existing law requires removal from the U.S. upon conviction for DUI or DWI offenses for those present illegally,
there remain instances where individuals reenter after removal.
The new act would classify DUIs/DWIs causing death or severe injury as aggravated felonies under current federal statutes governing immigration.
Ted Cruz has previously won several Senate elections; he defeated Colin Allred during 2024 general elections with 53% of votes compared with Allred's 45%. He also won against Beto O'Rourke in 2018
and Paul Sadler in 2012.
