The House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday (Jan. 30th) co-led by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).
Under this legislation, failure to yield would be a felony, and if an officer is killed during the apprehension, smugglers could face life sentences. The bill, titled the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, is named after a Border Patrol agent killed in a high-speed chase in 2022 while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants in Texas.
“Our border is out of control. The Biden Administration has failed south Texas and border communities from California to the Gulf Coast,” De La Cruz said. “Our Border Patrol and other law enforcement should be given the tools necessary to do their jobs and not wonder if chasing a human or drug smuggler will end their lives and leave their families picking up the pieces. I hope that this legislation, named in honor of hero Agent Raul Gonzalez, makes criminals think twice before evading our border’s law enforcement officers. This madness has to end.”
“Every day, high-speed chases initiated by smugglers jeopardize the safety of Arizonans,” said Ciscomani. “For far too long, cartels and smugglers have not faced serious enough consequences when they blatantly endanger our communities. This bill signals to bad actors that we will pursue any action that threatens American lives to the fullest extent of our law. I’m thrilled that my House colleagues understand the necessity of this legislation, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a companion bill in the Senate last year.
