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119-s-2547119th Congress

Kate's Law

Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

toughens criminal penalties for unlawful entry and reentry. This bill raises maximum prison terms, creates new mandatory minimums for certain unlawful entries and reentries, and updates enforcement references to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

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  • Noncitizens who unlawfully enter: the maximum penalty for a first unlawful entry rises from 2 years to 5 years. A person who eludes inspection or uses false or concealing statements to gain entry and later is convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year faces a federal fine and a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years.
  • Noncitizens who reenter after removal: a general penalty now allows fines and up to 10 years in prison. Specific categories can face stiffer terms. Those with three or more pre-removal misdemeanors involving drugs or crimes against the person can face up to 15 years. Persons with prior aggravated felonies or felony convictions, or certain repeated violations, face a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
  • Enforcement and references: cross-references are updated to place responsibility with the Secretary of Homeland Security instead of the Attorney General and to reflect section 241(a)(4) for removal-related rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher penalties for unlawful entry

If enacted, this bill would raise the maximum prison term for unlawful entry from 2 years to 5 years. It would also create a new rule that someone who eludes inspection or uses deliberate lies or concealment to enter, and later is convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year, shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years and may be fined under federal law. This change would increase criminal exposure for affected noncitizens.

Stronger penalties for reentry after removal

If enacted, this bill would raise criminal penalties for people who return to the U.S. after removal. It would allow fines and jail terms up to 10 years in many cases. Some people with three drug- or violence-related misdemeanors could face up to 15 years. A new 10-year minimum would apply if the person had certain prior felony or similar convictions before removal. The bill would not apply if the Secretary of Homeland Security gave advance consent. It would also broaden what counts as a removal and say some 10-year sentences cannot run at the same time as other sentences.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/30/2025

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 7/30/2025

  • Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 7/30/2025

  • Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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