Halo Act

Summary

Creates a new federal crime that makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly approach or remain within 25 feet of a federal immigration enforcement officer after receiving a verbal warning not to approach, if the person intends to impede or interfere with the officer’s duties, threaten physical harm, or harass the officer. Conviction can bring a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The bill also defines who counts as a federal immigration enforcement officer and what counts as harassment and adds the new offense to the federal criminal code table of sections.

• Creates a new federal crime for knowingly approaching or staying within 25 feet of a federal immigration enforcement officer after a verbal warning not to approach, with prohibited intents.
• Prohibited intents are to impede or interfere with duties, to threaten physical harm, or to harass the officer.
• Applies when the actor knows or reasonably should know the person is a federal immigration enforcement officer lawfully performing duties.
• Penalties include a fine, imprisonment up to five years, or both.
• The statute defines who counts as a federal immigration enforcement officer and what counts as harassment.
• A prior verbal warning from the officer is a required element before the proximity ban applies.
• No appropriations or program authorizations are included; this is a standalone criminal prohibition added to Title 18.
• Prosecutors must prove knowledge and specific intent; mere presence without intent or without a warning is not automatically criminal.
• The 25-foot buffer and statutory definitions will shape the law's practical reach and enforcement.
• Possible legal debates include effects on protests, free speech, and the clarity of terms like 'harass' and 'reasonably should know.'