Immigration

HR 2090 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hold any individual encountered at the border in custody until they cross-reference that person's name against the federal terrorist screening database and receive a result. This directly affects all aliens (non-citizens) processed by CBP at U.S. borders. The key mechanism mandates this database check as a mandatory step before releasing an individual, replacing previous procedures. The bill defines the "terrorist screening database" as specified under the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

HR 756, the 287(g) Program Protection Act, makes it easier for state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with federal immigration authorities under the 287(g) program. It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter written agreements with any state or local agency that requests participation within 90 days, prohibits arbitrary denials without 180 days' notice to Congress, and bans termination of existing agreements without compelling reasons and 180 days' notice. The bill also mandates uniform federal training standards for participating officers, requires annual reports on program performance (including apprehensions, removals, and compliance), and establishes dedicated funding for the program. This directly affects state and local police departments seeking to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions.

HR 57, the "Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025," changes U.S. immigration enforcement for individuals apprehended at the border who request asylum. It prohibits immigration officers from releasing these individuals into the United States while their asylum claims are processed, requiring instead either detention for immigration court proceedings or immediate return to the border territory (like Mexico) for asylum consideration. The bill mandates that if an individual cannot be removed within 72 hours, they must remain detained until removal occurs, with no exception for parole. This directly affects asylum seekers arriving by land from contiguous foreign territories who are processed under Section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This bill imposes a hiring freeze on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prohibiting the use of federal funds to hire new employees or transfer existing federal workers to ICE. The freeze begins upon the bill's enactment and automatically ends when Congress passes a specific law overriding it. It directly affects ICE's staffing capabilities by halting new appointments and transfers using federal funding. The measure is procedural, focusing solely on restricting hiring authority without altering immigration enforcement policies.

The SHIELD Act (HR 3101) would create a federal grant program to expand legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. It authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 to fund workforce development, training, and infrastructure for legal services organizations. Eligible recipients include states, local governments, community organizations, and educational institutions that provide immigration legal services. Funds would support recruitment and training of legal staff, technical assistance, and coordination of services to better serve immigrants in deportation proceedings, addressing the current shortage of representation that affects most immigrants in deportation cases who cannot afford attorneys.

HR 584, the "No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2025," would amend the Social Security Act to prohibit states from providing Medicaid coverage to non-citizens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or permanently residing in the U.S. under legal status. This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants who currently qualify for Medicaid in some states. The key provision inserts a new requirement that states cannot offer Medicaid benefits (except for specific emergency care) to these individuals under any state Medicaid plan or waiver. The change would prevent federal Medicaid funding from being used for this group, effectively eliminating their eligibility.

HRES 881 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning recent violent attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel and facilities. It specifically references multiple incidents in 2025, including shootings, assaults, and threats against agents across Texas, Oklahoma, California, Illinois, and other states, citing a DHS-reported 1,000% increase in assaults on ICE personnel. The resolution expresses congressional condemnation of all violence against these officers, thanks them for their service, and honors their role in border security and immigration enforcement. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally states the House’s position on these incidents.

The End Solitary Confinement Act would prohibit solitary confinement in all federal prisons, immigration detention facilities, and other federal custody settings, with limited exceptions for emergencies. It requires all incarcerated people to have at least 14 hours per day of out-of-cell interaction in shared spaces, including structured programming, recreation, and social activities. The law establishes a community monitoring body to oversee implementation, creates detailed reporting requirements for facilities, and provides legal remedies for violations. It also incentivizes states to adopt similar standards through federal funding mechanisms, with special protections for vulnerable groups including young people, older adults, people with disabilities, and those with mental health needs.

This resolution designates September 9 as "National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day" (NAIRHHA Day). It directly supports African immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S., which face significantly higher rates of HIV (6x the general population) and hepatitis B (10% prevalence) compared to other groups. The resolution expresses support for raising awareness about these health disparities, reducing stigma, and promoting culturally appropriate prevention, testing, and treatment resources. It is a non-binding symbolic gesture by the House of Representatives, not a policy with new requirements or funding.

Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 This bill provides a private right of action against state and local jurisdictions with certain policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, and contains additional provisions related to such jurisdictions. Currently, such cooperation is generally not required. An individual (or certain relatives of such an individual) who is the victim of any felony for which an alien has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced to a prison term of at least one year may sue a state or local jurisdiction if the jurisdiction failed to comply with (1) certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests related to arresting and detaining aliens, and (2) a DHS request to detain the alien in question or provide a notification about the release of the alien. A jurisdiction that accepts certain federal grants may not assert immunity in such a civil action. A jurisdiction (or employee of a jurisdiction) that complies with certain DHS detainer requests shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of DHS. A complying jurisdiction or employee of the jurisdiction shall not be liable in any lawsuit relating to compliance with such requests. In a lawsuit against an employee of the jurisdiction, the United States shall be substituted in as the defendant, and remedies shall be limited to provisions for bringing tort claims against the federal government.