Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025

This bill raises criminal penalties for non-U.S. citizens who enter the country illegally or return after being removed. It adds required prison time in some cases and increases the maximum time in others. For example, someone who enters illegally and later is convicted of a serious crime must serve at least 5 years in prison and could face a life sentence. It also raises the general penalty for coming back after removal to up to 10 years. Overall, the bill’s purpose is to increase penalties in federal immigration law for illegal entry and reentry.

The bill sets tougher rules for repeat and higher-risk situations. If a person has three or more prior misdemeanors for drugs or crimes against people, the maximum sentence for coming back after removal increases to 15 years. Someone denied entry or removed three or more times who returns can get up to 10 years. If a person was convicted of a felony before removal and then comes back, the sentence must be at least 10 years and could be up to life.

Key points

• Who is affected: Non-U.S. citizens who enter illegally or return after being removed.
• What changes: Repeat illegal entry max penalty rises from 2 to 5 years; required minimums of at least 5 years (after illegal entry followed by a serious crime) and at least 10 years (for reentry after a prior felony); higher maximums for certain repeat or serious cases, up to 15 years or life in prison .
• Why it matters: Courts would have to give longer sentences in specified situations, and people who repeatedly reenter could face much tougher penalties .