Sponsors (33)
The bill strengthens federal tools to deter and punish vehicle evasion near the border and increases immigration consequences, at the cost of expanding federal criminal reach (especially within 100 miles of the border), raising taxpayer and administrative costs, and reducing protections for some immigrants.
Law enforcement personnel (Border Patrol and local officers) gain a clearly criminalized tool against intentional vehicle evasion, which is likely to reduce dangerous pursuits and officer risk.
Federal prosecutors and courts get explicit federal jurisdiction and defined penalties for serious pursuit-related harms, creating more consistent prosecution and sentencing across jurisdictions.
Immigration enforcement is strengthened: immigrants convicted of or admitting to vehicle evasion would be barred from entry and certain forms of relief, reducing chances they remain in the U.S.
People (residents, commuters, and others) within 100 miles of the border can be prosecuted under new federal offenses for vehicle evasion that previously might have been handled by state courts, exposing many more people to federal charges and longer federal penalties.
Immigrants, including asylum seekers, who are convicted of or admit to vehicle evasion would lose access to asylum and other forms of relief, potentially forcing return to danger and removing humanitarian protections.
The law creates or increases costs for federal courts, DOJ, DHS, USCIS, and immigration courts — more prosecutions, removal proceedings, and required annual reporting will raise administrative and taxpayer expenses.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal vehicle-evasion crime near the border with tiered prison terms and makes convictions/admissions grounds for inadmissibility, deportability, and asylum ineligibility; requires annual DOJ/DHS reports.
Creates a new federal crime for intentionally fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border and sets tiered prison and fine penalties based on whether the flight caused serious injury or death. The measure also makes convictions or admissions for that offense a new ground for immigration inadmissibility, deportability, and ineligibility for relief (including asylum), and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement and charging outcomes. The law expands criminal exposure for vehicle-based evasion near the border, ties immigration consequences to convictions or admissions tied to the new federal offense, and obligates the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to report yearly on counts, charges, and penalties relating to the offense.
Official title: To impose criminal and immigration penalties for intentionally fleeing a pursuing Federal officer while operating a motor vehicle.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Juan Ciscomani · Last progress February 13, 2025