HR 7213, the *Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026*, requires U.S. citizenship or nationality for eligibility for most federal assistance programs (like SNAP, housing aid, or Medicaid). It mandates applicants to submit a written declaration under penalty of perjury and provide documentary proof (e.g., birth certificate, SSN) verified through Social Security Administration and DHS databases. The bill affects individuals applying for or receiving federal benefits, with exceptions for children in households where at least one member meets the requirement (e.g., children in SNAP or elderly housing programs). It takes effect 1 year after enactment, requiring all current recipients to meet the new rules within 2 years.
This bill would withhold 50% of federal highway funding from states that issue driver's licenses to people without proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency status, starting in 2027. To comply, states must ban such licenses and allow local/state officials to share immigration status information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Transportation Secretary would maintain a public database tracking each state's compliance with these requirements. The law directly affects state governments and their access to federal transportation funds, not individual drivers.
HR 5863, the "No CDLs for Illegals Act," requires states to deny commercial driver's license (CDL) applications to individuals without proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or valid work authorization, plus proof of state domicile. It mandates states to use the federal SAVE system to verify immigration status for non-citizen applicants and prohibits issuing CDLs to non-domiciles. States violating these rules risk losing federal transportation funds, with the Secretary of Transportation required to annually review compliance and suspend funds until corrections are made. The bill directly affects CDL applicants and state licensing agencies, creating concrete policy changes for CDL issuance and enforcement.
This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from providing any federal grants or funds to local governments (including cities, counties, or other state subdivisions) that are classified as "sanctuary cities." A sanctuary city is defined as any local government that restricts sharing immigration status information with federal authorities or refuses to comply with certain immigration detainer requests from Homeland Security. The Secretary of Transportation may grant a limited waiver for specific projects if they certify it serves national interest and notify Congress 15 days in advance. The law directly affects jurisdictions with policies limiting cooperation on immigration enforcement, withholding all DOT funding for transportation projects.
HR 4667, the VISIBLE Act, requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other authorized immigration officers to visibly display their agency name and either their last name or unique badge number during all public immigration enforcement activities (such as stops, arrests, raids, or checkpoints). This identification must be clearly legible from 25 feet away on outer clothing, not obscured by gear, and officers cannot wear face coverings that hide their face during public interactions unless for covert operations or hazardous conditions. The bill mandates DHS to discipline non-compliant officers and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement activities, violations, and disciplinary actions. It also directs DHS’s Civil Rights Office to investigate public complaints about noncompliance.
This bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security clear legal authority to issue work permits (Employment Authorization Documents) to individuals granted deferred action under the DACA program, including new applicants who previously faced restrictions in certain states like Texas. It directly affects DACA-eligible immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, ensuring they receive work authorization at the same time as their DACA approval, regardless of court rulings blocking such permits. The law amends immigration law to override judicial injunctions that have limited work authorization for new applicants in specific jurisdictions. This creates a uniform national standard for work permits, removing geographic barriers to employment for eligible DACA recipients.
This resolution recognizes and celebrates the contributions of immigrants to the United States; condemns discrimination against immigrants; and supports comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the needs of the economy, strengthens communities, and reflects the values of compassion, fairness, and opportunity for all.
This joint resolution (SJRES 99) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that removed automatic extensions for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The rule, published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2025, ended the prior practice of automatically extending work permits for certain immigrants while their renewal applications were pending. If approved, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, restoring the automatic extension process for EAD holders. The policy change directly affects non-citizens in the U.S. who hold EADs and are waiting for renewal processing, preventing potential gaps in work authorization.
This bill would withhold up to 10% of federal highway funding from states that fail to comply with specific immigration verification requirements. It directly affects states that issue driver's licenses without requiring proof of legal immigration status or restrict sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. Key provisions include withholding 5% of funds in the first year of noncompliance (increasing to 10% annually thereafter) and requiring annual state certifications of compliance. The bill conditions transportation funding on adherence to these immigration verification standards, as defined by the REAL ID Act and federal immigration law.
S 3917, "The Dalilah Law," prohibits states from issuing or renewing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or certain nonimmigrant visa holders (like H-2B workers). It requires all current CDL holders to recertify within 180 days of enactment, verifying citizenship/residency status, English proficiency, and passing English-language tests. States that fail to enforce these requirements face withholding of federal transportation funding. The law directly affects commercial drivers and state licensing agencies, with specific rules for visa holders and English language requirements for CDL operations.
