WASHINGTON
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to prevent illegal immigrants who flee Border Patrol from ever being admitted into the US.
The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act passed by a vote of 264-155. It holds illegal aliens accountable for committing a crime and intentionally evading federal officers while driving.
“This bill delivers a strong message: those who cross our borders illegally and jeopardize the safety of our officers will face severe criminal and immigration penalties,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
The bill is named after Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, who died in 2022 in an ATV accident after pursuing migrants who crossed the border illegally into the state of Texas.
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of the US border while intentionally fleeing US Border Patrol or law enforcement is to be imprisoned, fined and deported, according to the bill.
Since President Donald Trump took power on Jan. 20, Republicans have taken swift action to protect Americans and secure the US borders.
Last month, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act for non-US citizens charged with or convicted of certain crimes, marking his first piece of legislation in his second term.
