REMOVE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4711
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:55:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The REMOVE Act aims to accelerate the immigration removal process for certain non-citizens, particularly those who have committed deportable offenses, by mandating quicker commencement and completion of deportation hearings to ensure timely expulsions.
Key Provisions
- Prompt Commencement of Proceedings: The Attorney General (the top U.S. law enforcement official, who oversees immigration courts) must start removal proceedings—formal hearings to determine if someone can be deported—as soon as possible after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) files a Notice to Appear (the official document initiating a deportation case) with the immigration court. For non-citizens convicted of crimes that make them deportable (eligible for removal under U.S. immigration law), proceedings must begin as quickly as possible after the conviction date.
- 15-Day Completion Requirement: Regardless of other laws, the Attorney General must take all necessary steps—such as issuing regulations (formal rules) or guidance—to ensure that immigration court proceedings for these individuals are fully resolved within 15 days of starting. This applies specifically to cases involving deportable offenses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 239(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the main U.S. law governing immigration), which previously outlined general timelines for starting proceedings but did not impose strict deadlines.
- Replaces the prior paragraph (1) with new language emphasizing speed, especially post-conviction.
- Adds a new paragraph (2) that overrides conflicting laws (e.g., asylum processing timelines) to enforce the 15-day completion rule, shifting from flexible or longer processing periods to a rigid, expedited framework.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Immigration courts and ICE may face increased pressure to handle cases rapidly, potentially requiring more resources, staff, or procedural changes to meet the 15-day deadline. This could lead to streamlined operations but also backlogs in non-prioritized cases.
- On Citizens and Non-Citizens: U.S. citizens are unaffected directly, but non-citizens in removal proceedings—especially those with criminal convictions—could face faster deportations, reducing opportunities for appeals or relief (e.g., asylum claims). This might deter immigration violations but could limit access to due process in hearings.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though quicker removals of offenders could influence bilateral agreements on deportations with other countries, potentially easing repatriation but straining relations if perceived as overly harsh.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Non-Citizens in Removal Proceedings: Primarily those convicted of deportable offenses (e.g., certain crimes), who will experience shortened timelines for hearings and potential expulsion.
- Immigration Enforcement Agencies: ICE and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR, which runs immigration courts under the Department of Justice) must implement and comply with the accelerated processes.
- Immigration Advocates and Legal Service Providers: Non-profits or attorneys representing immigrants may struggle with the tight 15-day window, affecting their ability to prepare defenses.
- Victims of Crimes: Indirectly benefited if the law speeds up removal of convicted non-citizen offenders, potentially enhancing public safety.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The 15-day deadline could challenge existing procedural rights under the Immigration and Nationality Act, such as time for evidence gathering or asylum applications, potentially leading to court challenges on grounds of fairness or adequacy of representation.
- Constitutional Implications: Raises questions about due process (the Fifth Amendment right to a fair hearing before deprivation of liberty, like deportation), as rushed proceedings might limit non-citizens' ability to contest removal, though the bill targets only those already convicted of crimes.
- Political Implications: Reflects a focus on enforcement and border security, likely appealing to supporters of stricter immigration policies, but could spark debate over balancing efficiency with humanitarian considerations in the immigration system.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 9.
- 2025-11-20: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-11-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rapid Expulsion of Migrant Offenders who Violate and Evade Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (2 pages)