Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 875

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-06-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-11T23:38:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to enhance public safety by expanding immigration consequences for non-citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the law) who engage in driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the main U.S. law governing immigration, to make such individuals ineligible to enter the U.S. (inadmissible) or subject to removal (deportable) based on driving while intoxicated or impaired (DUI) offenses.

Key Provisions

• Inadmissibility Ground: Adds a new category to INA Section 212(a)(2), making any alien inadmissible if they have:
• Been convicted of a DUI offense.
• Admitted to committing a DUI offense.
• Committed acts that meet the core elements of a DUI offense under the laws of the place where it occurred (e.g., state, tribal, or local jurisdiction).
• This applies to offenses involving alcohol or drugs, regardless of whether the offense is a misdemeanor (less serious) or felony (more serious).
• Deportability Ground: Adds a new category to INA Section 237(a)(2), making any alien deportable if convicted of a DUI offense, defined similarly to the inadmissibility provision and without regard to misdemeanor or felony classification.
• The bill is named the "Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025" in honor of individuals affected by DUI incidents.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Prior to this act, the INA did not explicitly list DUI offenses as standalone grounds for inadmissibility or deportability. While some serious crimes could trigger these consequences, routine DUI convictions (especially misdemeanors) typically did not, unless they involved aggravating factors like injury or death.
• This introduces DUI as an independent immigration violation, broadening the scope to include admissions or acts constituting the offense (for inadmissibility) and treating all levels of DUI equally, without needing proof of severity.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: U.S. immigration authorities, such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for visa processing and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for enforcement, will likely see an increase in case reviews, screenings, and deportation proceedings related to DUI records. This could strain resources for background checks at borders, ports of entry, and during status adjustments.
• On Citizens and Residents: U.S. citizens are not directly affected, but communities may benefit from reduced risks posed by non-citizen DUI offenders through stricter immigration controls. Non-citizens (e.g., visa holders, green card holders, or undocumented individuals) face heightened risks of denial of entry, loss of legal status, or removal, potentially disrupting families and local economies if deportations rise.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could complicate visa approvals for nationals from countries with high DUI rates or lead to diplomatic discussions on consular processing. It may indirectly affect bilateral agreements on immigration enforcement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Non-Citizen Immigrants: Primary group impacted, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), temporary visa holders (e.g., students, workers), asylum seekers, and undocumented individuals with any DUI history, who could face barriers to entry or removal.
• Immigration Enforcement Agencies: DHS components like ICE and USCIS, responsible for implementing and enforcing the new rules.
• Law Enforcement and Courts: State, local, tribal, and federal entities that handle DUI cases, as convictions will now feed into federal immigration databases more directly.
• Communities and Victims' Families: Indirect beneficiaries, as the act is named after specific DUI victims to emphasize protection from impaired driving by non-citizens.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Expands the INA's criminal grounds for immigration actions, potentially leading to more litigation over what constitutes an "admission" of a DUI (e.g., in plea deals or interviews) or the "essential elements" of an offense. It applies uniformly across jurisdictions, which could standardize enforcement but raise consistency issues in diverse state laws.
• Constitutional Implications: For non-citizens, this may invoke due process concerns under the Fifth Amendment (fair procedures before removal) or equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, especially if applied retroactively to past DUIs. Courts might review whether treating all DUIs equally (misdemeanor or felony) is proportionate.
• Political Implications: Reflects a focus on public safety and stricter immigration enforcement, aligning with debates on linking criminal records to immigration status. As a bipartisan-named bill (honoring victims), it could garner broad support but spark criticism for overreach into minor offenses, influencing future immigration reform discussions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

Cosponsors (23)

Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-06-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-06-26: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 246 - 160 (Roll no. 183). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2984-2985) (Roll call 183)
• 2025-06-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 246 - 160 (Roll no. 183). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2984-2985) (Roll call 183)
• 2025-06-26: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2993-2994)
• 2025-06-26: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 875, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
• 2025-06-26: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
• 2025-06-26: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 875.
• 2025-06-26: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
• 2025-06-26: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 530. (consideration: CR H2984-2989)
• 2025-06-23: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 530 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
• 2025-03-21: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 19.
• 2025-03-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-30.
• 2025-03-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-30.
• 2025-02-26: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Bill Versions

• Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (4 pages)
• Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (3 pages)
• Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-27 — PDF (3 pages)
• Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-21 — PDF (6 pages)

Related Bills

• H.Res. 530 (119th Congress)