The TRUST Act establishes new hiring standards and operational rules for U.S. immigration enforcement officers to improve professionalism and transparency. It raises the minimum age requirement to 21, mandates comprehensive background checks including social media reviews, and requires specialized training on de-escalation, civil rights, and preventing discrimination. The legislation also mandates that officers wear uniforms and badges only while on duty, carry official identification, and use body-worn cameras during public interactions, with strict penalties for failing to record or tampering with footage. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to release unedited video recordings of incidents involving misconduct or serious injury to the public within a specified timeframe.
This bill restricts immigration and naturalization by adding new grounds for inadmissibility and deportation based on membership in or advocacy for specific political ideologies, including socialism, communism, Chinese communism, Marxism, and Islamic fundamentalism. It directly affects foreign nationals and permanent residents by making them ineligible for entry or citizenship if they have affiliated with or promoted these ideologies, with exceptions only for advocacy that occurred before age 14. The law defines these ideologies in detail and designates specific organizations as examples of each category, while also prohibiting court review of determinations made under these provisions. Additionally, the bill expands the grounds for revoking naturalized citizenship and requires the Attorney General to issue regulations implementing these changes.
The Secure America Act appropriates billions of dollars to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for fiscal year 2026 to expand staffing and operations. These funds are specifically designated for hiring agents to conduct functions other than immigration enforcement and customs duties, as well as for purchasing new technology to combat drug trafficking and improve border surveillance. The legislation includes restrictions that prohibit using the money to recruit processing coordinators after October 2028 and bans the deployment of untested autonomous surveillance towers. A portion of the funding is also set aside to hire investigators and analysts dedicated to identifying and rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation.
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to create or expand new immigration detention facilities, including warehouses, tents, and modular structures. It directly affects immigration enforcement agencies by banning the construction, renovation, or operation of non-traditional detention centers and preventing the transfer of funds to such projects. The legislation requires any money previously allocated for these facilities to be redirected toward affordable healthcare and housing services instead. Effective immediately upon enactment, the ban applies to all existing federal funds and prevents the use of current budgets for establishing or operating alternative detention models.
The Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to create and enforce mandatory training for immigration officers on how to properly interact with Native Americans and recognize tribal documents as proof of citizenship. This training must include specific information about tribal documents, scenario-based exercises, and annual retraining for all officers in their assigned regions. The bill also mandates that officers complete this training before performing immigration enforcement duties and requires the Department to submit regular reports to Congress on its implementation.
The Honor Our Commitment Act of 2026 prevents the government from detaining or deporting specific Vietnamese nationals who entered the United States on or before July 12, 1995, and have lived there continuously. This protection applies to individuals with existing deportation orders, though it does not cover those who pose a security threat or face extradition. The Department of Homeland Security must grant these individuals work authorization and notify them of their rights within 60 days of the law taking effect. Finally, the bill allows people harmed by violations of these rules to seek legal relief in federal court.
This bill, titled the Territorial Protection and Sovereignty Act, ends the Temporary Protected Status program for individuals currently holding that status in the United States. It requires that any existing status grants terminate immediately upon the law's enactment. Affected individuals must depart the country within 60 days of the bill becoming effective to avoid being classified as unlawfully present. The legislation removes the specific legal protections previously established under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
This bill, titled the Alien Banking Act, requires individuals opening bank accounts in the United States to attest, under penalty of perjury, to their lawful immigration status. Financial institutions would be prohibited from opening or maintaining accounts for individuals who do not provide this attestation or are determined to be unlawfully present. The bill establishes significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and asset forfeiture, for individuals who knowingly make a false attestation regarding their immigration status. It also mandates that financial institutions report any suspected false attestations to federal authorities.
This bill, titled the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act, aims to make certain National Guard members eligible for federal benefits that typically require service during a national emergency. It specifies that full-time National Guard duty, when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense, will be treated as qualifying service if performed in direct support of federal law enforcement operations (such as those involving ICE or DEA) to address public safety threats like drug trafficking or organized crime. This change would make these National Guard members eligible for benefits including a reduction in retirement age, the Transitional Assistance Management Program, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Essentially, the bill expands the types of National Guard service that qualify for these federal benefits, treating specific federal law enforcement support missions as equivalent to national emergency service for benefit eligibility.
The Safe Check-Ins for Immigrants Act (HR 8381) requires the Department of Homeland Security to permit certain non-citizens to complete their mandatory periodic check-ins virtually. This bill directly affects individuals who have been released from immigration detention and are awaiting a decision on their removal from the United States, provided they are required to report regularly to an immigration officer or case manager. It mandates that these required appearances can be satisfied through video teleconference, offering an alternative to in-person reporting.