Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1050

Introduced

2/6/25

Refer

2/6/25

Caption

Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act

Impact

If enacted, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act would modify several existing laws surrounding immigration and deportation. It introduces criteria for determining membership in criminal gangs, which could expand the pool of individuals deportable under U.S. law. This could lead to increased deportations, particularly affecting Latino communities and those with tenuous legal status. The inclusion of broader categories of offenses for gang association may lead to more individuals being flagged for deportation, fundamentally altering immigration enforcement priorities. The bill would also necessitate annual reports on the number of individuals detained due to these amendments, potentially increasing governmental transparency regarding immigration enforcement actions.

Summary

HB1050, known as the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen the government's ability to deport aliens associated with criminal gangs. The bill expands the definition of criminal gang members and establishes stricter grounds for inadmissibility and deportability. This legislation allows the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to designate organizations as criminal gangs based on their activities, leading to increased scrutiny and potential deportation of associated individuals. Supporters of the bill argue it is necessary for national security and to combat gang violence, while critics raise concerns about its implications for immigrant rights and the due process of those accused of gang affiliation.

Contention

The primary points of contention surrounding HB1050 stem from concerns over its potential impact on legal immigrants and individuals seeking asylum. Critics argue that the criteria for gang membership could be overly broad, leading to wrongful associations and unjust deportations. They express fears that the bill could undermine community trust in law enforcement as immigrants confront the risk of being reported based on purported gang ties. Additionally, immigrant rights advocates argue that the bill may exacerbate vulnerabilities for individuals who rely on the legal system to escape gang violence in their home countries, thereby creating a climate of fear rather than the intended safety.

Congress_id

119-HR-1050

Policy_area

Immigration

Introduced_date

2025-02-06

Companion Bills

US HB175

Related bill Deport Alien Gang Members ActThis bill makes non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) associated with criminal gangs inadmissible for entry into the United States and deportable. The bill also establishes procedures to designate groups as criminal gangs.An individual shall be inadmissible if certain officers or agencies know or have reason to believe that the individual is or was a criminal gang member or has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities. An individual who is or was a member of such a gang, has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities, or seeks to enter or has entered the United States in furtherance of such activity shall be deportable.Such individuals must be subject to mandatory detention. Furthermore, such individuals shall not be eligible for (1) asylum; (2) temporary protected status; (3) special immigrant juvenile visas; or (4) parole, unless they are assisting the government in a law enforcement matter.The bill defines a criminal gang as a group of five or more persons (1) where one of its primary purposes is committing specified criminal offenses and its members have engaged in a continuing series of such offenses within the past five years, or (2) that has been designated as a criminal gang by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The bill also establishes procedures for DHS to designate a group as a criminal gang, including notifying Congress, publishing a notice in the Federal Register, and providing an opportunity for the group to petition for review of the designation.

Previously Filed As

US HB367

Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act This bill makes non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) associated with criminal gangs inadmissible for entry into the United States and deportable. The bill also establishes procedures to designate groups with criminal gang status. An individual shall be inadmissible if a consular officer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the Department of Justice knows or has reason to believe that the individual is or was a criminal gang member or has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities. An individual who is or was a member of such a gang, or has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities, shall be deportable. Such individuals must be subject to mandatory detention. Furthermore, such individuals shall not be eligible for (1) asylum; (2) temporary protected status; (3) special immigrant juvenile visas; or (4) parole, unless they are assisting the government in a law enforcement matter. The bill defines a criminal gang as a group of five or more persons (1) where one of its primary purposes is committing specified criminal offenses and its members have engaged in a continuing series of such offenses within the past five years, or (2) that has been designated as a criminal gang by DHS. The bill also establishes procedures for DHS to designate a group as a criminal gang, including notifying Congress, publishing a notice in the Federal Register, and providing an opportunity for the group to petition for administrative and judicial review of the designation.