Ciscomani Celebrates Committee Passage of Legislation to Crack Down on High-Speed Chases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) this week celebrated the House Judiciary Committee’s passage of his legislation to crack down on illegal migrants and smugglers who engage in high-speed car chases with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or law enforcement assisting CBP. 

Under the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585), failure to yield would be a federal crime and if anyone is killed during the apprehension, smugglers could face life sentences. The effort is named after Raul Gonzalez, a Border Patrol agent killed in a high-speed chase in 2022 while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants in Texas. Following the committee’s passage of the legislation, the bill is now headed for a vote on the House floor.

“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,” said Ciscomani. “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. I am grateful that Chairman Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee sees the urgent need for this type of action and look forward to voting for the bill on the House floor.”

“These bad actors must be held accountable, and H.R. 5585 does just that,” said Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan. “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. I want to thank Arizona Representative Juan Ciscomani for his leadership on this bill. It’s time we stand strong against the criminals who cause fear, devastation, and harm to our law enforcement officials and topeople in our border communities.” 

This bill is supported by 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, Benson Police Department, and the Sierra Vista Police Department. You can find more information on the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act HERE.