This bill requires states to verify that applicants for driver's licenses, commercial licenses, and state ID cards have lawful presence in the United States before issuing them. To enforce this, the legislation mandates that states use approved methods to electronically validate biometric data, conduct background checks, and cross-reference tax and social security records with federal agencies. If a state fails to implement and enforce these verification procedures by October 1, 2026, the federal government will withhold 10% of the state's transportation funding until compliance is achieved. Any withheld funds are then redistributed proportionally to states that have met the new requirements. The bill does not alter existing REAL ID standards but adds a specific layer of immigration status verification to the licensing process.
This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to limit the use of short-term holding facilities to a maximum of 12 hours for detainees, unless specific exceptional circumstances like medical emergencies or natural disasters occur. To enforce this rule, the Department of Homeland Security must ensure facilities remain safe and provide meals every six hours, along with constant access to water and appropriate food for vulnerable individuals such as minors and pregnant women. The legislation also mandates that officials document any instances where a detainee is held longer than 12 hours and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of such cases, their duration, and the reasons given for the extended custody. Additionally, the Department's Inspector General will conduct periodic audits to verify compliance with these new standards.
The Detention Authority Clarification Act amends immigration laws to change the term 'alien seeking admission' to 'applicant for admission' in specific sections. It also updates the list of individuals subject to mandatory detention by adding a new category for applicants seeking entry. These changes aim to clarify the terminology and scope of who can be detained under current immigration statutes.
The 287(g) Expansion Act allows states and local law enforcement agencies that have partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to receive additional federal funding. Specifically, eligible jurisdictions can apply for up to a 10 percent increase in their annual Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant if they maintain an active 287(g) agreement. The legislation authorizes $20 million per year from 2027 to 2033 to support these increased allocations, which are intended to enhance immigration enforcement efforts within participating communities.
The Federal Benefits Repatriation Verification Act of 2026 restricts noncitizens receiving federal benefits from sending more than $1,000 in monetary assets to foreign accounts or individuals within any 12-month period. To enforce this limit, the bill requires noncitizen recipients to annually certify their compliance and mandates that financial institutions, including banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, check a new Treasury database before processing transfers. If a noncitizen exceeds the limit or fails to provide certification, they become ineligible for programs such as Social Security, SNAP, and Medicaid, while financial institutions face civil penalties for non-compliance. The legislation also directs the Treasury to create a secure database to track these transactions and share data with benefit agencies to verify eligibility in real time.
The OPEN Act establishes new oversight and accountability measures for immigration enforcement by granting Members of Congress unrestricted, unannounced access to all immigration detention facilities and requiring the Department of Homeland Security to publicly report incidents involving excessive force or misconduct. It mandates specific rights for detained individuals, including timely notification of family members, guaranteed access to legal counsel and medical care within set timeframes, and strict regulations on transfers and transportation conditions. The legislation also restricts the use of administrative warrants for entering private residences, requires judicial warrants for most arrests and detentions, and imposes financial penalties on contractors who fail to meet federal detention standards. Additionally, the bill reconstitutes the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department and requires rigorous independent inspections before any new detention centers can begin operations.
This bill fundamentally restructures the U.S. immigration system by replacing the current employment-based visa categories with a new points-based program that prioritizes applicants with high salaries, advanced degrees, English proficiency, and U.S. military service. Under this new system, employers must attest that they have attempted to hire qualified American workers first and guarantee that hiring an immigrant will not result in layoffs of existing U.S. employees. Additionally, the bill eliminates the Diversity Lottery program, restricts certain family sponsorship categories for citizens, and imposes conditional permanent resident status on new immigrants who must prove they are not receiving public benefits and remain employed within two years. The legislation also mandates that undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition rates at colleges and requires immigrants to sign statements affirming their loyalty to U.S. constitutional principles and opposition to specific forms of persecution.
The RECOUP Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to pay local first responders for their time and resources when they assist federal immigration agents. Under this bill, agencies that help enforce immigration laws can submit detailed requests for reimbursement, which must include information about the number of officers involved, the duration of the response, and their pay rates. The law also mandates that the government protect the personal details of these responders and prohibits releasing that information without a court order. Funding for these payments would come from existing budgets allocated to immigration enforcement agencies, allowing the money to be used until January 2029.
The Financial Access Protection Act prevents banks, credit unions, and other covered financial institutions from asking customers about their citizenship or immigration status to open or maintain accounts. It also bars these institutions from collecting, storing, or sharing such information with government agencies. Additionally, the law stops federal banking regulators from requiring these institutions to gather immigration data or using such data to influence regulatory decisions. While the bill restricts the collection of personal status information, it explicitly preserves existing rules for preventing money laundering and other financial crimes.
The COOL IT Act requires immigration officers to complete an annual, scenario-based training curriculum focused on skills like de-escalation, community relations, and officer safety. This mandatory training, which must be developed by the Department of Homeland Security within 90 days, applies to federal immigration officers and state officers participating in federal immigration enforcement programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that all immigration officers finish at least 67 days of training before they can begin enforcing immigration laws. The legislation also directs the Department of Homeland Security to consult with law enforcement and community groups while submitting a report to Congress on the training's benefits and implementation challenges within 180 days.