Sponsors (4)
The bill gives state and local responders quicker, more predictable reimbursements and privacy protections for officers, at the cost of diverting DHS funds and adding administrative and operational frictions that could slow assistance or complicate claims.
Local and state first-responder agencies will receive faster reimbursement from DHS for costs when they assist ICE or CBP, reducing strain on local public-safety budgets.
State and local agencies get a clear, time-limited (30-day) administrative process to recover costs, improving predictability for budgeting and claims management.
Individual first responders' personal identifying information is protected from public release except by court order, preserving officers' privacy and safety.
Using unobligated DHS funds to pay reimbursements reduces resources available to ICE/CBP for other operations, potentially shifting costs onto taxpayers or cutting other DHS activities.
Requiring ICE/CBP to collect responder identity and contact information could discourage informal or ad hoc assistance and slow responses in urgent situations, creating safety and operational risks.
DHS determinations that 'no response occurred' could delay or deny valid reimbursements and force local agencies to expend time and documentation to contest denials, increasing administrative burden.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DHS-administered reimbursement program to pay state and local agencies for costs when they assist ICE or CBP enforcing immigration laws, using specified unobligated DHS funds through Jan 20, 2029.
Requires the Department of Homeland Security to reimburse state and local first responder agencies for costs they incur when they respond to requests for assistance from ICE or CBP to enforce U.S. immigration law. DHS must collect contact info from the ICE/CBP officer who requested assistance when practicable, request a detailed cost estimate within 30 days of identifying the responder, and reimburse the submitting agency within 30 days of receiving the estimate. Agencies may also submit reimbursement requests directly if DHS did not collect contact information. Personal identifying information of individual first responders is protected from disclosure except by court order. Reimbursement uses unobligated ICE/CBP appropriations under Public Law 119–21 and is available until January 20, 2029.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse each State and local first responder agency for the cost of responding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 9, 2026 by Dave Min · Last progress April 9, 2026