Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 275
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T02:23:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency in U.S. immigration enforcement by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to regularly report on encounters with individuals deemed potential national security risks attempting to enter the country unlawfully.
Key Provisions
- Monthly Reporting Requirement: Starting no later than the seventh day of each month (beginning with the first full month after enactment), DHS must publish a report on its public website and submit it to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Report Contents:
- Total number of "special interest aliens" encountered in the previous month.
- Identification of their nationalities or countries of last habitual residence (where they lived most recently).
- Breakdown by geographic regions of encounters.
- Details on encounter locations: at land, air, or sea ports of entry; between ports of entry; or in the U.S. interior.
- Identification of any nationalities from "covered nations" (countries designated under U.S. law as state sponsors of terrorism or similar high-risk areas).
- Initial Report: The first report must also cover data from January 20, 2021, through January 19, 2025.
- Definitions:
- Alien: A non-U.S. citizen or non-national, as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (a key U.S. law governing immigration).
- Covered Nation: Countries listed in U.S. defense law (10 U.S.C. § 4872) as posing significant security threats, such as state sponsors of terrorism.
- Special Interest Alien: A non-citizen whose travel patterns suggest a potential national security risk to the U.S. or its interests, based on intelligence analysis.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new mandatory reporting obligation for DHS, which did not previously exist in this specific form. It builds on existing immigration laws by adding public disclosure and congressional oversight requirements focused on national security-related encounters, without altering core enforcement powers.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS will face an ongoing administrative burden to compile and publish detailed data monthly, potentially requiring updates to internal tracking systems. Congressional committees gain enhanced access to immigration data for oversight.
- On Citizens: The public will have greater access to information on border security threats, which could inform public discourse on immigration and national security without revealing sensitive operational details.
- On International Relations: Listing nationalities from certain countries may draw scrutiny or diplomatic tensions with those nations, potentially affecting U.S. foreign policy discussions on migration and security cooperation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Primary entity responsible for data collection, reporting, and compliance.
- U.S. Congress: Specifically, the House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which receive reports for legislative oversight.
- The Public: Gains access to aggregated immigration encounter data via DHS's website.
- Immigrants and Non-Citizens: Particularly those classified as special interest aliens, who may face heightened scrutiny or indirect stigma based on nationality.
- National Security and Intelligence Agencies: Indirectly involved, as their analyses inform the "special interest alien" designation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The act reinforces existing immigration authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating transparency, but it does not expand enforcement powers. It ensures compliance through public reporting, with no specified penalties for non-compliance outlined.
- Constitutional: Aligns with congressional oversight of executive agencies (Article I powers) and the government's role in national security (Article II), without raising clear First Amendment or privacy concerns, as reports use aggregated data rather than individual identifiers.
- Political: Promotes accountability in border security by making national security aspects of immigration visible, potentially influencing debates on immigration policy and resource allocation. It could be viewed as a tool for bipartisan oversight or partisan emphasis on enforcement.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-06-26: CORRECTION TO ENGROSSMENT - Ms. Greene (GA) asked unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 275, the Clerk be directed to make corrections, which were placed at the desk. Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-26: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 182 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2989) (Roll call 184)
- 2025-06-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 182 (Roll no. 184). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2989) (Roll call 184)
- 2025-06-26: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2994-2995)
- 2025-06-26: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 275, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Correa demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2025-06-26: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2025-06-26: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 275.
- 2025-06-26: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
- 2025-06-26: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 530. (consideration: CR H2989-2993)
- 2025-06-23: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 530 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
- 2025-06-17: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 130.
- 2025-06-17: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-163.
- 2025-06-17: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-163.
Bill Versions
- Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (4 pages)
- Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024 — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (3 pages)
- Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-27 — PDF (3 pages)
- Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-17 — PDF (6 pages)