EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – An Arizona congressman is celebrating the House passage of a bill cracking down on migrant smugglers involved in high-speed chases with federal and local law enforcement within 100 miles of the border.
H.R. 5585, also known as the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, passed the House of Representatives on a 271-154 “bipartisan” vote, sponsor U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, said.
“Every day, high-speed chases initiated by smugglers jeopardize (public) safety,” Ciscomani said. “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, to the fullest extent of our law, any action that threatens American lives.”
H.R. 5585 modifies Chapter 2 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code by adding the offense of evading arrest or detention while operating a motor vehicle fleeing Border Patrol or any pursuing federal, state or local law enforcement assisting the Border Patrol.