H.R. 3486: Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the penalties for individuals who illegally enter or reenter the United States after being removed. Here are the main provisions of the bill:

Increased Penalties for Illegal Entry

The bill proposes that individuals who illegally enter the U.S. could face:

• A minimum imprisonment of 5 years, increased from the current penalty of 2 years.
• Higher fines if they are later convicted of any crime that carries a maximum punishment of over 1 year of imprisonment.

In summary, if someone enters the country illegally or evades immigration checks, they would face significantly harsher consequences under this bill.

Increased Penalties for Reentry after Removal

The bill also imposes stricter penalties for individuals who have been removed from the U.S. and then attempt to return. The key points include:

• Individuals who reenter without proper authorization could face imprisonment of up to 10 years.
• Individuals with prior convictions, especially those involving multiple misdemeanors or serious crimes (e.g., drug-related offenses), could face imprisonment of up to 15 years.
• Those who have been removed three or more times face penalties of up to 10 years for further attempts to reenter.

These increased penalties are intended to deter repeated illegal entries into the United States.

Definitions of Key Terms

The bill provides a clear definition of "removal," which includes any situation where an individual agrees to leave the U.S. while facing legal action, ensuring that the rules apply broadly to various contexts of immigration enforcement.

Penalties for Serious Criminal Histories

For individuals who have already committed serious crimes (defined as aggravated felonies or other felony-level offenses), the bill establishes:

• A mandatory minimum of 10 years of imprisonment if they are found to reenter the U.S. unlawfully.

This provision is aimed at increasing the consequences for those with significant criminal histories and to discourage them from attempting to reenter after being removed.

Administrative Changes

The bill also includes changes to the roles of various government officials in the immigration enforcement process. Specifically, it shifts certain responsibilities from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security, who will now have authority over matters related to removal and entry permissions.

Overall Impact

Overall, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 seeks to create stricter enforcement mechanisms around illegal immigration by increasing penalties and clarifying the legal framework regarding unauthorized entry and reentry into the United States.

Relevant Companies

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