Congress·Passed House·H.R. 3486

House Passes Stop Illegal Entry Act, Raising Maximum Prison Sentence for Illegal Border Crossing to 5 Years

Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

6 months ago·View on Congress.gov

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

226–197

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill increases the maximum prison sentence for entering the country illegally from 2 years to 5 years. It aims to discourage people from crossing the border outside of official ports of entry.
People who enter the U.S. illegally and are later convicted of a serious crime—one that carries more than a year of jail time—would face a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison. In some cases, they could face life in prison.
The bill significantly raises the stakes for people who return to the U.S. after being deported. If someone was previously removed for a felony or a serious crime and returns illegally, they would face at least 10 years in prison.
It also targets repeat offenders. Anyone who has been removed from the country three or more times and tries to come back would face up to 10 years in prison, even if they have not committed other crimes.
These changes would apply to anyone caught entering or found in the U.S. without permission after a previous removal. The goal is to create much stricter legal consequences for breaking immigration laws multiple times or after committing crimes.

ImmigrationCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones18 actions

Sep 15, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate.

Sep 11, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sep 11, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 226 - 197 (Roll no. 264). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4242)

Sep 11, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 226 - 197 (Roll no. 264). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4242: 4)

Sep 11, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4250)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Late 2025 or 2026

Senate considers the bill after House passage

The bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by the president before any of these penalty increases take effect. Until then, current sentencing rules remain in place.

Upon enactment

If signed into law, new criminal penalties take effect

Federal prosecutors would immediately begin applying higher sentences for illegal entry (up to 5 years) and reentry after removal (up to 10 years or more). People caught crossing the border or found in the U.S. after deportation would face much longer prison terms.

Vote Results

1 vote

HousePassedPassageSep 11, 2025

On Passage

226

197

Democrat

11 – 197 · 5

Republican

215 – 0 · 4

View full roll call

Related News

1 article

The Hill·6 months ago

House passes bills overhauling sentencing policies, targeting illegal entry

House Republicans advanced the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, which sharply increases criminal penalties for unlawful entry and re-entry. The bill is part of a broader effort by the GOP and the Trump administration to use mandatory minimums as a deterrent against unauthorized migration.

Related Bills

1 bill

H.Res. 682Related bill

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3838) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3486) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally enter and reenter the United States after being removed, and for other purposes.

Sep 9 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.