HR3486119th Congress

Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

Passed House

Summary

Raises criminal penalties for illegal entry and creates mandatory minimums for serious reentry cases. This bill would increase maximum prison time for unlawful entry and add a new, higher‑stakes offense when evasive or deceptive entry conduct is followed by a later conviction. It also tightens reentry punishments and updates enforcement references to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

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  • People who enter unlawfully: Increases the maximum sentence for unlawful entry from 2 years to 5 years. Creates a new enhanced offense that carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years when entry involved eluding inspection, false statements, or concealment and the person is later convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year.
  • People who reenter after removal: Rewrites reentry penalties so general reentry can carry up to 10 years in prison. Certain categories face higher penalties up to 15 years for repeat or drug/person misdemeanor histories and a mandatory minimum of 10 years for prior aggravated felony or felony convictions.
  • Enforcement and procedure: Broadens the definition of “removal” to include plea or trial stipulations and replaces references to the Attorney General with the Secretary of Homeland Security for related compliance actions. Fines under Title 18 remain available.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger penalties for illegal entry and reentry

If enacted, penalties for unlawful entry and for returning after removal would be higher. For first-time unlawful entry, the maximum prison term would rise from 2 years to 5 years. A new aggravated offense would give at least 5 years, and up to life, if someone sneaks in or lies to enter and later is convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year. For unlawful reentry without DHS permission, the general maximum would be 10 years, with tougher terms in some cases: up to 15 years for 3 or more drug or person misdemeanors; a 10-year sentence that would not run at the same time as other sentences for certain security-related removals; and up to 10 years after specific criminal removals or after 3 or more prior removals. If the person had an aggravated felony or other felony before removal, there would be a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to life; stipulated removals would count.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

  • Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 197

house vote • 9/11/2025

On Passage

Yes: 226 • No: 197

View on Congress.gov
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