The Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2026 significantly expands the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain non-citizens who are facing removal from the United States. The bill removes time limits on detention during removal proceedings and allows for indefinite detention after a final order is issued if specific conditions, such as national security threats or public safety risks, are certified by government officials. It restricts access to bond hearings for many detainees, requiring them instead to prove they are not flight risks or community threats through clear and convincing evidence. Additionally, the legislation establishes administrative review processes that permit detention beyond standard removal periods if an individual fails to cooperate with deportation efforts or poses a continuing danger.
This bill designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status, allowing nationals who have lived continuously in the United States since the law's enactment to apply for a legal stay until July 1, 2029. To qualify, applicants must pass background checks and submit biometric data, while the Department of Homeland Security is required to process these applications within 90 days unless national security concerns justify a brief extension. The legislation also permits eligible individuals to request fee waivers for their applications and allows for special travel consent in emergency situations that require a short trip abroad.
The Respect Tribal IDs Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to create and enforce annual training for immigration officers on how to properly identify and accept Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation directly affects federal immigration officials by mandating that they complete specific curricula developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian tribes. Key provisions include establishing a database of tribal document examples, incorporating scenario-based exercises, and ensuring officers understand the historical trust responsibility between the U.S. government and American Indians. Additionally, the bill defines which tribal documents, such as enrollment cards and certificates of degree of Indian blood, are considered valid proof of citizenship.
End Child Trafficking Now Act This bill imposes restrictions related to adult non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) being admitted into the United States with a minor. Such an adult may not be admitted with a minor unless the adult (1) presents documents and witness testimony proving that the adult is a relative or guardian of the minor, or (2) submits to a DNA test that proves such a relationship. The Department of Homeland Security may request a DNA test only if the required relationship cannot be established by the presented documents and witness testimony. An adult who does not consent to a requested DNA test shall be inadmissible. If the required relationship cannot be established and the immigration officer believes the adult is guilty of a felony offense, the officer may arrest the adult. The bill makes it a crime for an adult to knowingly use a minor to whom the adult is not a relative or guardian to enter the United States.
This bill exempts H-1B visa holders working in healthcare from a presidential restriction that requires a $100,000 payment for entry into the United States. It directly affects foreign medical professionals and healthcare workers who hold H-1B nonimmigrant visas. The legislation removes the additional fee requirement for these workers while limiting any fees that may be charged to the standard amount already established under immigration law. The bill defines healthcare workers using the existing definition from the Affordable Care Act and was introduced in the 119th Congress in March 2026.
HR 4329, the Building Civic Bridges Act, creates an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to support projects reducing community divisions. It establishes a 3-year pilot grant program funding nonprofits, community groups, and schools to run projects that foster respect across diverse communities, address unmet needs like health or safety concerns, and improve social cohesion. Grants require projects to use research-based approaches, engage polarized communities, ensure participant safety, and track outcomes using standardized criteria. The program is funded exclusively through existing donations (not new federal funds) and mandates consultation with diverse community leaders and researchers. The Office will also compile research on civic bridgebuilding best practices for public access.
This bill proposes adding a new article to the U.S. Constitution to explicitly state that only citizens can vote in federal elections. The amendment would apply to all federal elections, including those for President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives. It gives state legislatures the authority to create enforcement rules while reserving the power for Congress to make or alter regulations and enforce the rule in Washington, D.C. The measure would require ratification by conventions in three-fourths of the states before becoming part of the Constitution.
This bill prevents U.S. federal courts from issuing orders (such as injunctions, stays, or declarations) that stop enforcement of laws against people or entities not directly involved in a lawsuit (non-parties). It requires that such orders only apply if a non-party is represented through a party acting under standard legal rules. The law applies to all federal courts, including those in U.S. territories, and modifies related procedures for temporary restraining orders and declaratory judgments to enforce this restriction. Its core change limits court authority to affect non-parties regarding statutes, regulations, or government actions.
This bill creates a national registry for Korean American families separated from relatives in North Korea after the 1953 Korean War Armistice. The State Department would collect names and details to facilitate future reunions (in-person or video) and maintain a database of family members, including those who may have passed away. It authorizes $1 million for this registry and requires the State Department to include family reunion progress in diplomatic talks with North Korea and annual reports to Congress. The registry aims to support reunification efforts by providing structured information for U.S. diplomatic engagement, without guaranteeing specific outcomes.
The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act extends and reauthorizes a program that allows foreign medical graduates to work in underserved U.S. communities after completing their training. It extends the program through 2021 (with retroactive effect), adds protections for physicians who have completed service requirements, and makes changes to visa requirements to better support physicians working in underserved areas. The bill requires states to maintain a 90% utilization rate of waivers to keep receiving the full allocation, and adds reporting requirements for the program. This bill directly affects foreign physicians seeking to work in underserved areas and the health care facilities that employ them.
