A new US immigration bill, H.R. 875 – Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, has sparked alarm across immigrant communities, including the large Indian diaspora. The proposed law, passed in the House and gaining traction in the Senate, could make a single DUI offense grounds for deportation or inadmissibility.
What the Bill Proposes
Currently, DUI (Driving Under Influence) convictions—especially low-level ones—do not automatically trigger deportation or block visa applications. But if the bill becomes law, the consequences will be severe. Even a single DUI from years ago could:
- Make green card holders deportable.
- Bar reentry into the US after foreign travel.
- Impact visa approvals and status adjustments.
Alarmingly, immigration experts point out that the bill’s scope is broad. According to the law firm Landerholm Immigration, even admitting to drinking and driving without a conviction could make someone inadmissible. Dropped charges or plea bargains wouldn’t offer protection.
Why Lawyers Are Concerned
Immigration attorneys argue the bill lacks balance. While DUI is serious and public safety is a shared goal, they stress that the bill “skips context, rehabilitation, and due process.” For instance, a long-term green card holder with a decade-old minor DUI could suddenly face deportation without warning, hearings, or appeal rights.
Joseph Tsang, an immigration attorney, warns that anyone who is not a US citizen—green card holders, H-1B workers, international students—could be affected. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has also expressed support, signaling strong momentum behind the bill.
What Immigrants Should Do
Lawyers are strongly urging:
- Eligible green card holders to apply for US citizenship immediately.
- Individuals with past DUIs to consult attorneys and prepare a legal defense.
- International students and temporary workers to be aware of how even old records could impact their immigration future.
Bigger Implications
If enacted, the law would represent one of the harshest expansions of inadmissibility grounds in recent US immigration history. It underscores a growing tough-on-crime approach in policy, but critics warn it could unfairly punish rehabilitated individuals and destabilize immigrant families.
