Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens public safety by enabling visa denial/removal for DWI convictions and standardizes enforcement authority, but it does so at the cost of increased family separations, potential chilling effects on reporting/treatment, inconsistent outcomes across jurisdictions, and higher enforcement burdens and costs.
Noncitizens with DWI/DUI convictions are more likely to be denied admission or removed, which can reduce repeat drunk-driving by noncitizens and improve public safety.
Gives DHS and consular officers an explicit statutory basis to refuse admission or remove noncitizens with DWI convictions, standardizing enforcement authority across federal immigration actors.
Noncitizens convicted of even a single misdemeanor DWI could be denied admission or deported, increasing the risk of family separation and hardship for U.S. citizens and lawful residents with immigrant family members.
The threat of immigration consequences may discourage noncitizens from reporting DUI incidents or seeking medical or substance‑use help, undermining public health and road‑safety efforts.
Applying the rule across State, tribal, local, and Federal laws risks inconsistent outcomes because definitions and penalties for DWI vary by jurisdiction, producing unequal treatment of similarly situated noncitizens.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Convictions or admissions for DUI/DWI (alcohol or drugs) are added as federal grounds making noncitizens inadmissible or deportable, regardless of misdemeanor/felony status.
Adds convictions and admissions for driving while intoxicated or impaired (including DUI/DWI for alcohol or drugs) to the federal grounds that bar noncitizens from entering the U.S. and that make noncitizens removable. The change treats these offenses as immigration grounds regardless of whether they are classified as misdemeanors or felonies and applies to convictions or admissions under federal, state, tribal, or local law. As a result, noncitizens who are convicted of, or admit to committing, the essential elements of a DWI/DUI offense could be found inadmissible when applying for visas or admission, and noncitizens already admitted (including lawful permanent residents and other status holders) could be found deportable based on such convictions or admissions.
Introduced July 30, 2025 by William Francis Hagerty · Last progress July 30, 2025