Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 35, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, legislation cosponsored Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, that makes it a federal offense to evade or flee a U.S. Border Agent or law enforcement official who is assisting or under the command of U.S. Border Patrol. 
 
“We must ensure that those who recklessly endanger our Border Patrol agents, law enforcement officers, and communities are held accountable,” said Rep. Webster. “Under current law, fleeing from Border Patrol is not a federal offense, creating a dangerous loophole that criminal illegal aliens exploit. This bill establishes clear penalties and provides our border agents and law enforcement officers with the authority needed to maintain order and security at our borders.
 
H.R. 35 is named after Raul Gonzalez, a Border Patrol agent who was killed while protecting our borders during a pursuit of a vehicle carrying illegal immigrants in Texas. The bill also ensures that criminal aliens who evade law enforcement are inadmissible, removable, and ineligible for immigration relief, including asylum.