Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – The House Judiciary Committee has passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) aimed at cracking down on high-speed car chases involving illegal migrants and smugglers who evade Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or law enforcement assisting CBP.

The bill, known as the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585), would make failure to yield a federal crime. Additionally, if anyone is killed during the apprehension, smugglers could face life sentences. The legislation is named after Border Patrol agent Raul Gonzalez, who lost his life in a high-speed chase in 2022 while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants in Texas.

Expressing his satisfaction with the committee's decision, Congressman Ciscomani stated, "Every day, at least one community in my district sees a high-speed car chase come through their neighborhoods, endangering the safety and livelihood of Arizonans, law enforcement, and Border Patrol alike. We must send a strong message to those initiating these pursuits that they will be held to the full extent of the law when they jeopardize the lives of our citizens."

Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan also expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the need to hold accountable those who endanger border communities. Chairman Jordan said, "These bad actors must be held accountable, and H.R. 5585 does just that. The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act ensures that those who endanger border communities by failing to yield to Border Patrol agents will face meaningful consequences, ensuring aliens who endanger American communities can be prosecuted and ineligible for certain immigration benefits under our laws."

The legislation has garnered support from various law enforcement organizations, including the National Border Patrol Council, National Sheriffs' Association, Western States Sheriffs' Association, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Cochise County Sheriff's Office, Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Cochise County Attorney's Office, Bisbee Police Department, and Benson Police Department.

The bill will now proceed to a vote on the House floor.