The American Citizenship Integrity Act creates a new federal crime for knowingly recruiting or transporting non-citizens into the United States with the intent to have them give birth to children who would automatically gain U.S. citizenship. Individuals convicted of this offense face up to 15 years in prison, while those involved in organized schemes affecting three or more people can be sentenced to up to 30 years and subject to asset forfeiture. The bill also makes any foreign national inadmissible if they seek entry specifically for the purpose of "birth tourism" and allows for the revocation of citizenship for naturalized citizens convicted of these fraud-related offenses. To enforce these changes, the legislation establishes an interagency task force co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate investigations, develop detection guidance, and submit annual reports to Congress on enforcement activities and statistics.
The Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 creates a new federal crime for individuals who knowingly stage or fabricate motor vehicle accidents to submit false insurance claims. The bill directly affects people involved in these schemes by imposing penalties that include fines and up to 10 years in prison, with sentences increasing to 20 years if serious bodily injury occurs and potentially life imprisonment if the fraud results in death. Additionally, any criminal fines collected under this new law must be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund rather than general government revenue.
The SWIPES Act strengthens federal laws against financial fraud by explicitly including gift cards and digital credentials in the definition of "access devices" under existing statutes. It significantly increases prison sentences for individuals who traffic large quantities of counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, with penalties reaching up to 30 years for offenses involving more than 1,000 items. Additionally, the bill introduces a new federal offense that mandates an extra two-year consecutive prison sentence for anyone who commits fraud against victims over the age of 60.
This bill, known as the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act, adds a new federal crime for knowingly possessing or purchasing catalytic converters removed from vehicles with the intent to sell or distribute them. It directly affects individuals involved in the removal and resale of these parts, as well as businesses like scrap yards and repair shops, by establishing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 for first offenses. The law includes specific exceptions that allow for legal possession or purchase if the converter was removed by a vehicle owner, acquired during official duties by authorized entities, or bought from licensed businesses that follow state and local identification rules. For repeat offenders, the potential prison sentence increases to ten years and the fine limit rises to $200,000.
The Concealed Crime Prevention Act amends Washington, D.C. law to impose stricter prison sentences for individuals who wear ski masks or similar head coverings that conceal their identity while committing a crime. This provision specifically targets balaclavas and comparable gear while explicitly excluding religious headwear from the definition. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of a misdemeanor while wearing such a mask faces a mandatory minimum of six months in prison, and those convicted of a felony face a mandatory minimum of two years. These additional sentences must be served consecutively to any other prison time given for the underlying offense and apply to crimes committed on or after the bill's enactment date.
The Biosecurity Smuggling Deterrence Act of 2026 strengthens federal penalties for the illegal transport of biological agents or toxins into the United States. It directly affects individuals convicted of conspiring to smuggle these materials, making false statements related to their importation, and attempting to smuggle them. Under the new provisions, anyone found guilty of conspiring to smuggle biological agents faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years, while those who make false statements in connection with such activities face a mandatory minimum of 5 years. The bill also updates existing smuggling laws to explicitly include biological agents and ensures that forfeiture rules apply to these specific offenses. These changes take effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.
The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026 increases penalties for individuals who knowingly violate federal laws regarding the possession of firearms by licensed dealers. Specifically, it raises the maximum prison sentence for such violations to 20 years and mandates a minimum of three years in prison if the offense occurs during a burglary of a licensed business. The law also sets a five-year minimum sentence if the violation happens during a robbery. These changes directly affect federal firearms licensees and anyone attempting to illegally possess firearms from them.
The Protecting Kids from Creeps Act prohibits surrogacy agencies, their employees, and sex offenders from participating in surrogacy agreements, directly affecting fertility clinics, staff, and individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill mandates severe criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of at least 10 to 20 years, for knowingly or recklessly facilitating such agreements, while also stripping convicted agencies of their tax-exempt status and eligibility for federal grants. Any surrogacy agreement formed in violation of these rules is declared legally void and unenforceable, meaning it cannot be used to establish parental rights. In cases where a child is born from an illegal agreement, custody decisions will be made solely based on the best interests of the child under the laws of the state where the surrogate lives, ignoring any prior contracts. Additionally, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties equal to the compensation received or offered for prohibited conduct.
The Visual Protection of Strategic Assets Act strengthens federal laws to prevent espionage by targeting individuals from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. It requires the Department of Defense to create and publicly update lists of high-value military assets and critical installations, which must be marked with signs prohibiting photography and surveillance. The bill expands criminal penalties for taking photos or videos of these sites, introducing stricter rules for digital imagery and artificial intelligence enhancements, and mandates longer prison sentences and visa revocations for citizens of the listed nations who commit violations.
The Safer Prisons Act of 2026 increases the maximum prison sentence and fine for individuals convicted of assaulting correctional officers at the Bureau of Prisons. This change specifically targets attacks on federal prison staff by doubling the potential punishment compared to similar assaults on other law enforcement officers. The bill amends existing federal law to ensure that violence against these specific officers carries a heavier penalty.
