Nashville Standard

WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and his colleagues have introduced the Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act, aimed at preventing illegal immigrants who have committed DUIs from entering the U.S. and deporting those who commit DUIs within the country.

“Our nation is seeing a surge in violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and they are not being held accountable,” said Senator Hagerty. “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants that break our laws and endanger our communities are allowed to remain in the U.S.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn emphasized, “President Biden’s open border policies have incentivized lawlessness and turned every state into a border state.”

Senator Ted Budd stated, “Supporting law and order includes keeping dangerous individuals who harm our citizens out of our communities.”

Senator Shelley Moore Capito added, “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation, which will hold individuals convicted of driving under the influence accountable.”

Senator Tom Cotton stressed, “Illegal immigrants who are caught drunk driving should face no less than immediate deportation.”

Senator Kevin Cramer highlighted, “Illegal aliens have already committed a crime by being here. Our immigration laws need to be enforced, but at a minimum the public hazard of a DUI must be added to the list of inadmissible and deportable offenses.”

Senator Deb Fisher pointed out, “Current law allows illegal immigrants to commit multiple DUI offenses before they can be deported—that’s insane.”

Senator James Lankford shared, “Their lawlessness leaves a family and our state grieving over the tragic, avoidable loss of a loved one.”

Senator Marco Rubio expressed, “Individuals who break our laws and endanger our communities should not be allowed to remain in the U.S.”

Senator Thom Tillis concluded, “This legislation ensures that any illegal immigrant convicted of a DUI is eligible for deportation and will not continue to put the lives of American citizens in danger.”

The legislation, introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, aims to address the issue of illegal immigrants committing DUIs and the need to hold them accountable for their actions.