Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
House Passes Stop Illegal Entry Act, Raising Maximum Prison Sentence for Illegal Border Crossing to 5 Years
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
226–197
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Non-citizens with criminal records face the steepest increases under this bill. Someone previously removed who had any felony conviction—or even 3 or more misdemeanors involving drugs or crimes against a person—would face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and up to life imprisonment upon reentry. This creates an extremely harsh sentencing structure that stacks immigration violations on top of prior criminal history, potentially resulting in decades-long prison terms.
State Impacts
Milestones
Received in the Senate.
The Senate has received the House-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 226 - 197 (Roll no. 264). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4242)
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)
The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4250)
Vote Results
1 voteSource Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(5)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.