PAPERS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Pingree
Introduced
Summary
Would require the Department of Homeland Security to return most personal identification documents to people when they leave custody. It would limit retention to three narrow exceptions—fraud, contraband or evidence in a pending criminal proceeding, and when federal law bars possession—and require a written explanation and a certified copy for any retained document unless law forbids it, and it lists covered documents such as passports, permanent resident cards, employment authorization documents, birth certificates, driver's licenses, and Social Security cards.
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- People released from DHS custody: They would get back their covered documents on release unless one of the narrow exceptions applies.
- People whose documents are retained: They would receive a written explanation and a certified copy of the document unless doing so is prohibited by law.
- Department operations and enforcement: The bill bars keeping documents for operational convenience or for anticipated future immigration enforcement, narrowing reasons DHS may hold papers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of IDs for Immigrants Released
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to return each covered document taken from an individual while in DHS custody when that individual is released. Covered documents would include original passports, permanent resident cards, employment authorization documents, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, and similar government-issued IDs. DHS would be allowed to retain a document only if it is fraudulent; is contraband or evidence in a pending criminal proceeding; or the person is no longer legally entitled to possess it under Federal law. If DHS retains a document for one of those reasons, the bill would require DHS to give the individual a written explanation of the exception and a certified copy of the document unless prohibited by law. The bill would bar DHS from keeping documents for operational convenience or because of anticipated future immigration enforcement, and it would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pingree
ME • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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