Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025; BOWOW Act of 2025
Summary
The Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025, or BOWOW Act of 2025, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act. It aims to make aliens convicted of harming law enforcement animals inadmissible to the US and deportable if they are already in the country. The bill specifically targets those who have committed offenses under section 1368 of title 18, United States Code.
Expected Effects
The BOWOW Act will expand the grounds for inadmissibility and deportability under immigration law. This could lead to increased scrutiny of an alien's past actions related to harming law enforcement animals. It may also result in more deportations based on such convictions or admissions.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens protections for law enforcement animals.
- Potentially deters individuals from harming these animals.
- May enhance public safety by removing individuals who have demonstrated a willingness to harm law enforcement assets.
- Aligns immigration law with values of animal welfare and law enforcement support.
- Could lead to increased awareness and respect for the role of working animals.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May lead to increased administrative burden on immigration courts and agencies.
- Could be seen as overly punitive, especially in cases of minor harm.
- Potential for inconsistent application or interpretation of what constitutes 'harming' an animal.
- May not significantly deter individuals intent on causing serious harm.
- Could strain diplomatic relations with countries that have different animal welfare standards.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the power of Congress to regulate immigration and naturalization, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech or religion. The bill focuses on criminal behavior and its consequences for immigration status.
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).