S 2547 — Kate's Law

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html July 30, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill increases penalties for aliens who illegally enter or reenter the United States after being removed, establishing stricter imprisonment terms and additional penalties for repeat offenders.

• 8 U.S.C. 1325

  2 years → 5 years

  The maximum imprisonment term for the first violation of illegal entry is increased from 2 years to 5 years.

• 8 U.S.C. 1325

  (e) Any alien who-- (1)(A) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; (B) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or (C) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, and (2) thereafter is convicted of any crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment, may be fined under title 18, United States Code, and shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than 5 years.

  A new provision mandates a minimum 5-year imprisonment for aliens who illegally enter and are subsequently convicted of a crime punishable by over 1 year in prison.

• 8 U.S.C. 1326

  any alien who-- (1) has been denied admission, excluded, deported, removed, or has departed the United States while an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal is outstanding; and (2) enters, attempts to enter, or is at any time found in, the United States, → any alien who-- (1) has been denied admission, excluded, deported, removed, or has departed the United States while an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal is outstanding; and (2) thereafter enters, attempts to enter, or is at any time found in, the United States--

  The language specifies that the actions must occur 'thereafter', emphasizing the timing of the illegal reentry in relation to prior removal.

• 8 U.S.C. 1326

  (1) who was convicted before such removal or departure of 3 or more misdemeanors involving drugs, crimes against the person, or both shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both;

  New penalties are introduced for aliens who were convicted of multiple misdemeanors before removal, increasing potential imprisonment up to 15 years.

• 8 U.S.C. 1326

  who has been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed 3 or more times and thereafter enters, attempts to enter, or is at any time found in the United States, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

  A penalty is established for repeat offenders who have been removed three or more times.

• 8 U.S.C. 1326

  (1) who was convicted before such removal or departure of-- (A) any aggravated felony; (B) any crime defined as a felony by the relevant jurisdiction (Federal, State, Tribal, or local) of conviction; or (C) any crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment;

  The bill establishes mandatory minimum penalties for reentry based on prior convictions, increasing imprisonment time if the alien had serious criminal convictions.

• 8 U.S.C. 1326

  Attorney General → Secretary of Homeland Security

  The authority for certain decisions is shifted from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Action History

1. July 30, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. July 30, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Ted Cruz · Primary
• Ted Budd · Cosponsor
• James C. Justice · Cosponsor
• Pete Ricketts · Cosponsor
• Katie Boyd Britt · Cosponsor

Subjects