Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1935

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-03-21T16:48:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 1935: Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025

Purpose

This bill aims to enhance national security by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the primary U.S. law governing immigration, to bar non-citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the law) from entering the United States if they have violated rules on accessing restricted military, naval, or Coast Guard property. It also makes such individuals subject to removal from the country.

Key Provisions

• Inadmissibility Ground: Adds a new category to INA Section 212(a)(2), making non-citizens inadmissible if they have:
• Been convicted of an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1382 (a federal law prohibiting unauthorized entry into military, naval, or Coast Guard installations).
• Admitted to committing such an offense.
• Committed acts that match the core elements of that offense.
• Deportability Ground: Adds a new category to INA Section 237(a)(2), making non-citizens deportable (removable from the U.S.) if convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1382.
• The bill is short and focused, with no waivers, exceptions, or additional enforcement mechanisms specified.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the INA's list of criminal grounds for inadmissibility and deportability to include violations of restricted military property access, which were not previously explicit grounds under immigration law.
• For inadmissibility, it broadens beyond just convictions to include admissions or equivalent acts, providing immigration officials more flexibility in assessments.
• Aligns immigration consequences directly with a specific federal criminal statute (18 U.S.C. § 1382), which previously might have been treated under general criminal inadmissibility but without this targeted link.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Immigration agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will need to screen for these offenses during visa applications, entry decisions, and deportation proceedings, potentially increasing administrative workload.
• On Citizens and Non-Citizens: Primarily affects non-citizens (including lawful permanent residents) who have trespassed on military property, making it harder for them to enter or stay in the U.S. U.S. citizens are unaffected, as the bill targets non-citizens only.
• On International Relations: Could lead to diplomatic tensions if non-citizens from allied countries are denied entry or deported for minor trespasses, though the focus on security may strengthen U.S. military protections without broad foreign policy shifts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Non-Citizens: Immigrants, visa holders, and refugees who may have accidentally or intentionally entered restricted military areas, facing barriers to entry or risk of removal.
• U.S. Military and Coast Guard: Benefits from stronger deterrence against unauthorized access to installations, enhancing security.
• Immigration Enforcement Agencies: DHS components (e.g., ICE, CBP) responsible for implementing screenings and deportations.
• Federal Courts and Prosecutors: Involved in convicting under 18 U.S.C. § 1382, with immigration consequences now tied to those outcomes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Reinforces immigration law's tie to federal criminal statutes, potentially leading to more consistent application in cases involving military trespass. It does not create new crimes but adds immigration penalties, which could be challenged if seen as overly punitive for minor violations (e.g., accidental entry).
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's broad authority over immigration and naturalization under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8), as well as national security powers. No direct conflicts with due process or equal protection are evident, though it applies only to non-citizens.
• Political Implications: Signals a priority on protecting military assets amid concerns over border security and unauthorized access, likely appealing to national security-focused lawmakers. It could influence broader immigration debates by expanding deportable offenses without addressing asylum or humanitarian exceptions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (2 pages)