Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fitzpatrick
Introduced
Summary
Would fund DHS operations and impose ICE accountability reforms. It would set detailed FY2026 spending lines across Department of Homeland Security components and add new reporting, oversight, and ICE rules such as body‑worn cameras, visible officer identifiers, standardized training, and limits on civil immigration enforcement at sensitive sites.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
Federal pay fixes and protective reporting
This bill would provide $140 million so the FAA could give a 3.8% pay increase for calendar year 2026 to eligible air traffic controllers if the FAA Administrator approves operational improvements. It would allow pay, allowances, and benefits to be paid and would ratify agency obligations during an anticipated lapse that began about February 13, 2026, so affected personnel can be paid. The bill would also require DHS to notify Congress within 10 days after the President directs protection for a former official and to report costs and scope quarterly.
Allow personal drug imports from Canada
If enacted, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be barred from using funds to stop a person from bringing a personal-use prescription from Canada. The supply could be up to 90 days and must meet the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This would not apply to controlled substances or biological products. The rule would take effect on enactment.
Rescind unused DHS balances
If enacted, the bill would cancel specified unused (unobligated) balances across multiple DHS accounts and programs. The rescissions do not apply to amounts Congress labeled as emergency funding. This reduces previously available funds for those DHS activities.
New ICE enforcement and detention rules
This bill would impose wide reforms on immigration enforcement and detention. It would require body-worn cameras for immigration officers and provide $20 million to buy and run them. Officers would have to show visible IDs, wear standard uniforms for public enforcement, and complete a five-month training course; the FBI Civil Rights Division must investigate any officer-involved firearm discharge. The bill would bar arrests for criminal immigration violations without a warrant or probable cause and bar knowingly detaining U.S. citizens without probable cause. It would generally ban civil immigration enforcement inside 1,000 feet of many sensitive places without a warrant, with narrow exigent exceptions. The bill would strengthen detention oversight and monthly reporting, stop contracts or 287(g) delegations with serious violations or poor recent performance, require preservation of custody records, limit restraints on pregnant detainees, expand protected personal-data categories, and ban moving certain Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.
Faster FEMA grants and public dashboards
This bill would set strict timelines for certain FEMA grant programs. It would require those grant solicitations to be public within 60 days, give applicants 80 days to apply, and require FEMA to act within 65 days of receipt. It would cap administrative costs at 5% of the grant and set award performance periods at 3–5 years. The bill would also require FEMA to post an interactive public dashboard showing reimbursement requests within 90 days after receipt or 60 days after final DHS review.
Tighter DHS spending, procurement, transfers
This bill would tighten how DHS spends and moves money. It would require detailed plans before DHS starts large pilots or Technology Modernization Fund projects and delay TMF obligations until Congress gets a report. DHS must notify Appropriations Committees before using Treasury forfeiture transfers. The Director of National Intelligence could transfer some National Intelligence Program funds to DHS with approvals and caps. DHS must show contingency spending cuts if a FY2027 budget assumes user-fee revenue that is not yet enacted. The bill would move $99.75 million into CISA operations, ban purchase of non‑autonomous border surveillance, bar any new land border crossing fees, and prohibit DHS funds to certain listed companies.
DHS emergency back-up dependent care
If enacted, DHS would be able to use Operations and Support funds to run an employee emergency back-up dependent care program. The bill does not set a dollar amount. This could help eligible DHS staff cover short-term childcare or dependent care needs.
USCIS operations and biometric changes
This bill would stop competitions to privatize certain USCIS jobs for named officer and support roles. USCIS could acquire up to five replacement vehicles where GSA does not provide leased cars and the USCIS Director could allow eligible employees to use them for commuting. USCIS could also let staff supervise biometric appointments at Application Support Centers remotely using appropriate technology. These changes would improve operational flexibility for USCIS staff and convenience for applicants but are modest in scale.
Extra $30M for Supreme Court
If enacted, the bill would provide an extra $30,000,000 for Supreme Court salaries and expenses. The money would be available until September 30, 2028. The funds follow the same rules as similar appropriations.
Penalties for FEMA reporting delays
If enacted, FEMA would lose $100,000 from a specified Operations and Support account for each day it fails to post a required Disaster Relief Fund report by the fifth business day. FEMA would also lose $100,000 per day when more than 500 reimbursement requests have been in final review over 60 days. The penalty does not apply if the DRF balance is limited to lifesaving or life-sustaining obligations.
Radiological emergency fees set to cover costs
This bill would require Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) charges for FY2026 to equal at least 100% of DHS's estimated REP program and administrative collection costs. Those fees would be collected as offsetting receipts and placed in an REP account available starting October 1, 2026, until spent.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Cosponsors
Suozzi
NY • D
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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