Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act

Full Title:
Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act

Summary#

This bill creates a new federal crime (section 40B of title 18) for operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the United States border while intentionally fleeing a pursuing U.S. Border Patrol agent acting with lawful authority or a Federal, State, or local officer assisting or under the command of Border Patrol. Penalties in the bill are: up to 2 years in prison (or fines) for a basic offense; 5 to 20 years if serious bodily injury results; and 10 years to life if a death results. The bill also amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make noncitizens convicted of, or admitting to, this offense inadmissible, deportable, and ineligible for immigration relief including asylum. Finally, the Attorney General, with the Secretary of Homeland Security, must send an annual report to the Judiciary Committees that counts and summarizes charges, apprehensions, unapprehended incidents, and penalties sought and imposed.

What it means for you#

  • People: Operating a vehicle and intentionally fleeing Border Patrol (or officers assisting Border Patrol) within 100 miles of the border could lead to federal criminal charges and the prison terms described above.
  • Noncitizens: Conviction or admission of committing this offense would make a noncitizen inadmissible to the U.S., grounds for deportation, and ineligible for asylum or other immigration relief under the bill.
  • Agencies: The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security must produce an annual report with counts and penalty information as listed in the bill.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated federal costs or budget effects. The bill requires an annual report, but it does not include cost estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata about supporters' stated reasons or arguments for the bill.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata about opponents' stated reasons or arguments against the bill.