Sponsors (3)
Makes it a federal crime for state/local officials to knowingly bar compliance with DHS requests for advance notice of scheduled release of "criminal aliens," with tiered prison terms based on offense seriousness.
The bill strengthens federal ability to secure custody of criminal aliens and punishes obstruction—potentially improving public safety—at the cost of exposing local officials to severe criminal penalties, legal and fiscal burdens, and increased federal-local conflict over enforcement priorities.
State and local custodial officials must provide DHS at least 48 hours' notice before releasing a criminal alien, improving DHS's ability to take custody and reducing the risk that dangerous individuals reenter communities.
Creates federal criminal liability for officials who knowingly obstruct DHS notifications, increasing accountability for local or state actors who deliberately block cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Imposes heavier penalties when a release involves serious offenses (murder, rape, or sex offenses against minors), prioritizing public safety for the most dangerous cases.
Exposes state and local chief executives to long federal prison terms (up to 25 years) for policy decisions about cooperation with DHS, creating severe personal legal risk for elected officials.
May criminalize routine local practices or unavoidable delays (for example, inability to provide 48‑hour notice due to resources or logistics), placing local officials at legal risk even when timely compliance is impracticable.
Could increase costs for local jurisdictions (legal defense, settlements, and administrative changes) and for taxpayers if officials face prosecution or related litigation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To amend chapter 93 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit obstruction of immigration laws by official interference.
Introduced February 20, 2026 by Lance Gooden · Last progress February 20, 2026
Creates a new federal crime that makes it unlawful for a state or local "responsible executive official," acting under color of law, to knowingly prohibit or limit compliance with a DHS request for "reasonable advance notice" of the scheduled release date and time of a "criminal alien." The bill defines key terms, borrows statutory definitions, and sets tiered criminal penalties tied to the seriousness of the underlying offense, from 30 days–6 months up to 10–25 years in prison (or fines) depending on the offense that led to custody.