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The House passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, which creates federal crimes and penalties for fleeing law enforcement within 100 miles of the U.S. border.
This bill, known as the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 35), establishes a specific federal crime for drivers who intentionally flee from U.S. Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement officers assisting them within 100 miles of the border. It sets tiered penalties ranging from two years in prison for fleeing to life imprisonment if the pursuit results in a death. Additionally, the bill makes any non-citizen convicted of this offense permanently ineligible for asylum or legal status and subject to immediate deportation. A vote 'On Passage' is the final step for a bill in the House of Representatives. To pass, the bill required a simple majority of the members present and voting. By passing this vote, the House has officially approved the measure and sent it to the Senate for further consideration. The bill passed with a vote of 264 to 155. While the Republican caucus was unanimously in favor of the measure, the Democratic caucus was divided; most Democrats voted against it, but 25 joined the Republicans to support the bill. One independent member also voted in favor.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for review.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. The bill federalizes a crime that was often handled by state courts and creates automatic, severe immigration penalties that bypass traditional asylum hearings.
Who’s affected. Non-citizens: Mandatory deportation and permanent loss of eligibility for asylum or legal status if convicted. · Border community residents: Drivers within 100 miles of the border face federal felony charges if they fail to stop for law enforcement. · Federal law enforcement: Border Patrol agents gain specific federal statutory authority to seek prosecution for suspects who evade them.
Democrats. A large majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, though 25 members voted in favor.
Republicans. The Republican caucus voted unanimously in support of the bill.
On Passage
Feb 13, 2025
The House passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, which creates federal crimes and penalties for fleeing law enforcement within 100 miles of the U.S.
border.
This was the final vote in the House of Representatives to approve the bill. Passing this stage means the House has completed its work on the proposal and is now sending it to the Senate for approval.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for review.
The bill federalizes a crime that was often handled by state courts and creates automatic, severe immigration penalties that bypass traditional asylum hearings.
The bill passed with unanimous Republican support and a small group of 25 Democrats crossing over to vote with the majority.
A large majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, though 25 members voted in favor.
The Republican caucus voted unanimously in support of the bill.
The chamber's one voting independent member supported the bill.