No Round Up Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2129

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-03-06T09:07:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Round Up Act" (H.R. 2129) aims to repeal the Alien Registration Act of 1940, a law requiring non-U.S. citizens (referred to as "aliens" in legal terms) to register with the government, provide fingerprints, and carry identification. This repeal seeks to eliminate what sponsors view as an outdated and potentially discriminatory requirement originally enacted during World War II.

Key Provisions

• Repeal of Core Registration Requirements: The bill directly repeals Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which mandated that non-citizens over age 14 register with the Attorney General (now handled by the Department of Homeland Security) and provide fingerprints and other personal details.
• Amendments to Related Sections:
• Modifies Section 263 to remove references to registration duties for certain groups, such as alien crewmen or those in institutions, and eliminates a subsection on address reporting.
• Updates Section 264 to strike provisions authorizing forms for registration and fingerprinting, and repeals a subsection on voluntary registration.
• Repeals subsection (b) of Section 265, which dealt with penalties for non-compliance.
• Fully repeals Section 266, which required non-citizens to notify authorities of address changes within 10 days.
• Conforming Amendment: Removes a clause in Section 237(a)(3)(B) of the INA that made failure to register a ground for deportation (removal from the U.S.).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elimination of Mandatory Registration: Ends the long-standing obligation for non-citizens to register upon entry or within 30 days of arrival, and to renew registration every few years, including carrying a "certificate of alien registration" (often called a "green card" for permanent residents).
• Removal of Enforcement Tools: Deletes associated penalties, such as fines or imprisonment for non-registration, and adjusts deportation grounds tied to these failures.
• Simplification of Immigration Code: Cleans up cross-references in the INA to reflect the repeal, reducing administrative complexity in immigration law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would no longer process registrations or enforce related requirements, potentially reducing paperwork and costs but limiting data collection on non-citizens' whereabouts.
• On Citizens and Non-Citizens: U.S. citizens are unaffected, but non-citizens (including lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and undocumented individuals) would be relieved of registration burdens, which could ease daily life and reduce fear of enforcement. However, it might complicate tracking for public safety or benefit distribution.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could signal a more welcoming U.S. immigration policy, potentially improving perceptions among immigrant-sending countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Non-Citizens in the U.S.: Primary beneficiaries, including immigrants, refugees, and temporary visitors, who would no longer face registration mandates or related penalties.
• Immigration Advocacy Groups: Organizations like those represented by the bill's sponsors (e.g., progressive Democrats focused on immigrant rights) stand to gain from reduced enforcement tools seen as enabling mass detentions.
• Government Agencies: DHS and ICE would see operational changes, with less focus on registration but possible shifts toward other enforcement priorities.
• Law Enforcement and Communities: Local police and communities with high immigrant populations might experience altered dynamics in cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The repeal could lead to challenges in immigration enforcement, as registration data has historically supported deportations and background checks. It might require updates to related laws, like those on employment verification (e.g., Form I-9), to avoid gaps.
• Constitutional Implications: Addresses concerns over privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches) and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, as the 1940 Act has been criticized for targeting ethnic groups during wartime. No direct constitutional challenge is raised, but it aligns with modern interpretations favoring due process for non-citizens.
• Political Implications: Introduced by a bipartisan but progressive-leaning group of House members, the bill reflects ongoing debates on immigration reform amid calls to end policies perceived as enabling "roundups" or mass deportations. If passed, it could spark partisan divides, with supporters viewing it as humane reform and opponents arguing it weakens national security. As an early-session bill (119th Congress), its fate depends on Judiciary Committee action and broader immigration politics.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Cosponsors (41)

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Liccardo, Sam [D-CA-16], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Round Up Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (2 pages)