The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation allowing the deportation of non-citizens convicted of driving under the influence. The bill, H.R. 875—formally titled the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025—received strong Republican support while 160 Democrats voted against it.
The bill honors Angel and Jeremy Seay, a newlywed couple killed by an illegal alien under the influence of alcohol, and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza, who was killed by a drunk, meth-impaired illegal alien driving the wrong way on Phoenix freeways.
Mary Ann Mendoza, Brandon’s mother, has been a leading voice for families affected by illegal alien crime. In 2018, she described her son’s death and highlighted the widespread impact of such crimes, saying, “There are hundreds of thousands of victims every year who are affected by illegal alien crime—rape, assault, identity theft. These are things that go unreported, unchecked.”
The bill’s passage marks a renewed push by Republicans to prioritize the safety of U.S. citizens and lawful residents over what they describe as lenient immigration enforcement policies. The legislation aims to close legal loopholes that prevent the removal of non-citizens even after serious criminal offenses like DUI.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) criticized the bill as overreaching, accusing Republicans of “inventing perceived gaps in the law.” But Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) countered by urging Democrats to prioritize public safety. “Get on the side of public safety and law enforcement all of the time, not just during election years,” he said.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future under Democratic leadership.
