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H.R. 5973: Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2025

This bill, known as the "Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2025," aims to regulate the conduct of federal immigration enforcement personnel in relation to the use of force during their operations. Here are the key provisions and aspects of the bill:

Short Title

The Act may be cited as the “Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2025.”

Findings

The bill outlines several findings regarding the use of force in law enforcement, emphasizing:

The serious responsibility of using force, which should be executed judiciously and respecting human rights.
The need for minimal community disruption during immigration enforcement operations.
Law enforcement personnel should avoid unnecessary risk and promote public safety.
Protection of freedom of speech and assembly, ensuring that law enforcement does not impede journalists or lawful protests.

Enforcement Limits

The bill introduces specific enforcement requirements for federal immigration personnel, including:

Use of Force

Federal personnel may use non-deadly force only when no safe and effective alternatives exist, and the force must be proportional to the situation.
Officers must consider the characteristics of the person involved, such as age or disability.
They must strive to de-escalate tensions before resorting to force.
There is an affirmative duty for personnel to intervene against excessive force by their colleagues.
Personnel should ensure identification during enforcement actions and cannot misrepresent themselves as local police.

Equipment Restrictions

Specific equipment is also restricted under this bill:

Immigration enforcement personnel are prohibited from using devices such as flashbangs, rubber bullets, and tear gas unless special conditions are met.
Use of masks or face coverings is limited, requiring approval for specific circumstances.

Camera Requirements

The bill mandates the use of:

Body-worn cameras for all federal immigration enforcement personnel.
Dashboard cameras in vehicles used for immigration enforcement with protocols for recording.
Retention of video footage for a year, with specific conditions for longer retention in certain situations.

Training and Notifications

Federal immigration enforcement personnel are required to receive annual training on use of force policies, legal updates, and intervention responsibilities.
There is a requirement to notify local law enforcement of impending operations when relevant.

Reporting Requirements

Beginning three months after enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security must submit a series of reports to Congress, covering:

Instances of non-deadly force used by personnel.
Assaults against federal personnel during immigration enforcement.
Situations involving unidentified personnel and the use of facial coverings.

Database Creation

The bill requires maintaining a database for training and certification for personnel using restricted equipment, along with a system for reporting on use of force incidents.

Rule of Construction

The Act clarifies that nothing in this legislation provides additional authority for deadly force or requires state/local law enforcement to assist in federal immigration operations.