Drunk Driving Proposed Bills and Immigrants

For those of you in California, you know about the “Three Strikes” law. There’s a bill that’s been proposed that could affect immigrants who have been convicted of three DUIs.  If you’re an immigrant who’s been charged with 3 DUIs, you could get deported!

Below are the possible bills to be passed and their descriptions:

From House Bill 4437
Title VI Terrorists and Criminal Aliens
SEC. 606. REMOVING DRUNK DRIVERS.
(a) In General- Section 101(a)(43)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)(F)) is amended by inserting `, including a third drunk driving conviction, regardless of the States in which the convictions occurred, and regardless of whether the offenses are deemed to be misdemeanors or felonies under State or Federal law,’ after `offense)’.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to convictions entered before, on, or after such date.

From Senate Bill  2611
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006
SEC. 225. REMOVAL OF DRUNK DRIVERS.
(a) In General- Section 101(a)(43)(F) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)(F)) is amended by inserting `, including a third drunk driving conviction, regardless of the States in which the convictions occurred or whether the offenses are classified as misdemeanors or felonies under State law,’ after `offense)’.

(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall–

(1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) apply to convictions entered on or after such date.

There’s a big debate surrounding this bill.  My personal issue with this is…If immigrants get deported after 3 DUI’s, shouldn’t citizens of the U.S. have a similar penalty?  I think being deported is a serious penalty.  For citizens there is license suspension and/or jail time, but is that enought to deter them from doing it again and again?  Some immigrants who come to the U.S. from poverish countries have to go back to their old lifestyles – which may be even more detrimental to their health and well-being.

If you are an immigrant in San Diego who has been charged with a DUI, seek the help of a professional and experienced San Diego DUI lawyer who is familiar with the laws and can  help with your case.