Protect RAIL Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4092

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:05:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Protect Railroads Against Illegal Looters Act (Protect RAIL Act) H.R. 4092, 119th Congress

Purpose

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand immigration consequences for certain theft-related crimes. It aims to bar entry and allow removal of non-citizens involved in offenses involving theft from interstate or foreign shipments by carrier, such as cargo theft affecting railroads and other transportation.

Key Provisions

• Inadmissibility: Adds a new ground under Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Any alien convicted of, or who admits to committing, an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 659 (theft from interstate or foreign shipments by carrier) or a conspiracy to commit such an offense is inadmissible to the United States.
• Deportability: Adds a new ground under Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Any alien convicted of an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 659 or a conspiracy to commit such an offense is deportable.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill expands the existing criminal grounds for inadmissibility and deportability in the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding 18 U.S.C. § 659 offenses. This creates new mandatory bars that were not previously listed as immigration violations.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Homeland Security and immigration courts in screening, adjudicating, and enforcing removal proceedings against non-citizens with these convictions.
• Citizens and residents: Non-citizens with qualifying convictions face denial of entry or removal from the United States; U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are not directly affected.
• International relations: No direct provisions address foreign governments or treaties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Non-citizens (including lawful permanent residents and visa holders) convicted of or admitting to 18 U.S.C. § 659 offenses.
• Federal immigration enforcement agencies.
• Railroad and transportation companies experiencing cargo theft.
• Individuals involved in interstate or foreign shipping.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The legislation relies on Congress’s authority to set immigration rules and impose consequences for criminal conduct. It treats these theft offenses as grounds for inadmissibility even without a conviction if the alien admits the essential elements, and it applies to conspiracies. No constitutional challenges are addressed in the bill text.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

Cosponsors (38)

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protect Railroads Against Illegal Looters Act — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (2 pages)