Congress expands deportation for drunk driving—even misdemeanor DUI

What it does

This bill amends immigration law to make any non-citizen who has been convicted of, admits to, or committed acts constituting driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI/DUI) inadmissible to the U.S. and deportable if already present. The standard applies regardless of whether the offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony, and uses the legal definitions from the jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

Why we flagged it

The bill straightforwardly expands grounds for deportation by adding DWI/DUI convictions to the Immigration and Nationality Act's inadmissibility and deportability provisions. It is a direct, transparent amendment with no hidden mechanisms—the title accurately describes what the bill does.

What the text implies

• Non-citizens convicted of misdemeanor DWI/DUI become deportable without discretion; immigration judges have no authority to consider family ties, length of U.S. residence, or hardship to U.S. citizen relatives.
• The bill applies retroactively to prior convictions unless Congress specifies otherwise, potentially triggering deportation proceedings for non-citizens convicted years or decades ago.
• Jurisdictional variation in DWI/DUI definitions means the same conduct may trigger deportation in one state but not another, creating unequal enforcement across the country.
• Mixed-status families (non-citizen parent with U.S. citizen children) may face separation if the non-citizen parent has a DWI/DUI conviction, even if the offense is decades old or the parent is otherwise law-abiding.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill advances public safety by removing non-citizens convicted of DWI/DUI from the country, which may reduce repeat drunk-driving incidents and protect communities. However, it also expands deportation grounds for a single offense (even misdemeanor DWI) without regard to severity, family ties, or length of residence, potentially separating long-term residents and mixed-status families from their U.S. citizen relatives and livelihoods.

Named in the bill

Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(a)(2), Section 237(a)(2), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement

Where it stands

23 cosponsors: 23 Republicans.

• Jan 31, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jan 31, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary and Senate Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary”
• Feb 26, 2025 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Feb 26, 2025 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote”
• Jun 26, 2025 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 246 - 160 (Roll no. 183).”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.