Immigration

HR 7608, the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2026, prevents the deportation of eligible Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese nationals who entered the U.S. before January 1, 2008, and have continuously resided here since. The bill halts removals for these individuals, grants them permanent work authorization with 5-year permits renewable indefinitely, and eliminates in-person check-ins for immigration supervision. It also requires immigration authorities to reopen past deportation cases for eligible individuals, allowing them to seek relief under the Act’s provisions without retroactive penalties. This directly affects approximately 15,000 long-term Southeast Asian residents, many of whom arrived as child refugees following conflicts the U.S. was involved in.

HR 4959, the "Land of the Free Act of 2025," repeals a specific deportation provision in immigration law. It removes Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4)(C)), which previously allowed non-citizens to be deported for engaging in "protected speech activities." This change directly affects non-citizens who might have faced deportation under that provision for exercising free speech rights. The bill makes a concrete policy change by eliminating this exception to deportation.

HR 7423, the "No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026," requires states and localities to share immigration status information with federal authorities and prohibits policies that block such sharing. It mandates that jurisdictions notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection 48 hours before releasing individuals in custody (or hold them for 48 hours if release is unscheduled) and obligates DHS to respond to status verification requests. Violating these provisions could result in loss of federal law enforcement grants, with immunity granted to local officers cooperating under the law. The bill directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies by altering information-sharing requirements with federal immigration authorities.

This bill changes how refugee admissions are managed in the U.S. It requires the President to submit a refugee admission recommendation to Congress before each fiscal year (starting 2025), rather than setting limits unilaterally. Congress must then pass a joint resolution setting the annual refugee cap before any admissions can occur. Additionally, it gives state governors the authority to block refugee resettlement in their state by notifying the federal agency 30 days prior to resettlement. This directly affects the President’s authority, Congress’s role in setting limits, and states’ ability to reject refugees within their borders.

This bill denies federal funds to states or localities (sanctuary jurisdictions) that restrict sharing immigration status information or refuse to comply with federal detainer requests under specific circumstances. It specifically blocks funding intended for services like food, shelter, healthcare, legal aid, or transportation for undocumented immigrants. The funding cutoff begins 60 days after enactment or the next fiscal year start. An exception applies if a jurisdiction cooperates when an undocumented immigrant is a crime victim or witness.

S 3440 creates a new temporary visa category specifically for family visits to the United States, affecting relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (including spouses, parents, children, and extended family). The bill requires applicants to provide proof of financial support through a declaration, obtain travel medical insurance covering international care, and confirm they will leave the U.S. after their visit. It limits stays to 90 days per calendar year and prohibits individuals who previously overstayed a family visa from petitioning again, unless they explain extraordinary circumstances. The law also clarifies that these visitors cannot adjust their status to permanent residency while in the U.S.

This bill (S 634) amends U.S. Code § 4001 to prohibit federal authorities from detaining individuals solely based on protected characteristics. It directly affects anyone detained by federal law enforcement, banning detention based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any additional characteristic the Attorney General designates. The key provision adds a new subsection requiring that no one be imprisoned or detained "based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic," with the Attorney General having authority to expand the list of protected traits. This creates a clear legal standard to prevent discriminatory detention practices under federal law.

Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025 This bill establishes requirements relating to placing unaccompanied alien children with sponsors. (Under federal law, an unaccompanied alien child is a minor with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States to provide care and physical custody.) Before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may release such a child to a sponsor, the sponsor must complete a fingerprint background check and vetting that includes (1) a public records check, (2) a National Sex Offender Registry check, (3) a Federal Bureau of Investigation National Criminal History Check, (4) a child abuse and neglect check, and (5) state and local criminal history checks. Each adult in the sponsor's household must also undergo such vetting before the placement. The bill also requires HHS to visit the home of a proposed sponsor before the placement and to conduct periodic home visits after. A child may not be placed with a sponsor who is unlawfully present in the United States unless the sponsor is the child's parent, relative, or legal guardian. HHS must retroactively apply these vetting standards to all sponsors for placements made since January 20, 2021.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025 This bill exempts from immigrant visa limitations the children of certain individuals who were naturalized due to their military service during World War II. Specifically, this applies to the children of veterans who served honorably during World War II in the U.S. Armed Forces or in Filipino military units such as the Philippine Army, Philippine Scouts, or recognized guerilla units.

HRES 604 is a House resolution condemning violent attacks against U.S. immigration enforcement agents. It specifically references documented incidents in 2025 where ICE and CBP officers were assaulted, injured, or targeted by mobs in cities like San Jose, Los Angeles, and Portland. The resolution formally recognizes the work of these agents and calls for support from elected officials, but it does not create new laws or policies. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force and solely expresses the House's position on these incidents.