Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act; BOWOW Act
Summary
The Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act (BOWOW Act) amends the Immigration and Nationality Act. It aims to make aliens convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement inadmissible to the US and deportable if they are already in the country. The bill specifically references Section 1368 of Title 18, United States Code, which relates to harming law enforcement animals.
Expected Effects
The BOWOW Act will expand the grounds for inadmissibility and deportability under immigration law. This will lead to increased scrutiny of aliens with convictions related to harming law enforcement animals. It may also deter such actions.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens protections for animals used in law enforcement.
- Potentially deters individuals from harming these animals.
- Reinforces the importance of law enforcement and their animal partners.
- May improve public safety by ensuring those who harm law enforcement assets are held accountable.
- Could lead to increased respect for law enforcement animals.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May lead to increased administrative burden on immigration authorities.
- Could be challenged on due process grounds if the definition of 'harming' is too broad.
- Potential for disproportionate impact on certain communities if enforcement is uneven.
- May not significantly deter individuals already intent on committing serious crimes.
- Could be seen as prioritizing animal welfare over other potential grounds for inadmissibility or deportation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of ensuring domestic tranquility and providing for the general welfare. While the Constitution does not explicitly address animal welfare, Congress has the power to regulate immigration and define the conditions for entry and stay in the United States, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 (the Naturalization Clause). The bill must also adhere to the Fifth Amendment's due process clause to ensure fair treatment of individuals.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).