CLEAR ID Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4843

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Last Updated

2026-05-22T08:08:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The CLEAR ID Act (H.R. 4843) aims to increase transparency and accountability in civil immigration enforcement by prohibiting the use of federal funds for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) activities unless officers clearly identify themselves. It addresses rising incidents of individuals impersonating immigration officers, which undermine public trust and enable crimes like assault and theft.

Key Provisions

• Funding Limitation: No federal funds allocated to DHS can be used for civil immigration enforcement actions (non-criminal activities under U.S. immigration laws) unless every involved officer meets identification requirements:
• Does not wear a mask or facial covering that conceals their identity.
• Uses only vehicles clearly marked with the agency's name if operating officially.
• Verbally and visibly identifies themselves, including showing a badge and wearing a uniform representing the agency.
• Exceptions: The rules do not apply if a mask is medically necessary (e.g., for health reasons) or required for an approved undercover operation. Undercover approvals must consider risks like personal injury, property damage, government liability, privacy invasions, unlawful conduct by officers, and the suitability of government involvement.
• Definitions:
• "Covered immigration officer" includes personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and any federal, state, or local personnel authorized by the DHS Secretary to perform civil immigration enforcement.
• "Immigration laws" refers to laws defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (the main U.S. law governing immigration).
• Congressional Findings: The bill cites specific 2025 incidents of impersonation (e.g., arrests in Chicago, Philadelphia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina involving fake ICE officers committing crimes), noting that such acts violate laws and erode trust in real law enforcement.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This introduces a new funding restriction tied directly to officer identification practices, which did not previously exist in this form. It builds on existing laws against impersonating officers (federal, state, and local) but adds enforcement teeth by conditioning DHS budgets on compliance.
• No broad overhaul of immigration enforcement authority, but it mandates visible and verbal self-identification, potentially limiting anonymous or masked operations unless exceptions apply.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS, CBP, and ICE may need to revise training, uniforms, and vehicle policies, increasing operational costs and complexity. Undercover operations could become rarer due to stricter approval criteria, possibly slowing certain investigations.
• On Citizens: Enhances public safety by reducing risks from impersonators, particularly in immigrant communities, and may build trust in law enforcement by promoting transparency during encounters. However, it could make some enforcement actions more visible and predictable.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic civil enforcement rather than border or foreign policy issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS Agencies: Primarily CBP and ICE personnel, who must adapt to new identification rules.
• Authorized State and Local Agencies: Those deputized by DHS for immigration tasks, potentially facing compliance burdens.
• Immigrant Communities and the Public: Vulnerable groups (e.g., non-citizens) benefit from reduced impersonation risks; general citizens gain from increased law enforcement accountability.
• Congress and Oversight Bodies: Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security will monitor implementation and funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens existing anti-impersonation statutes by linking them to federal funding, but could lead to lawsuits over exceptions (e.g., challenges to undercover approvals or claims of hindering enforcement). Enforcement relies on audits of DHS spending.
• Constitutional: Aligns with due process principles under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments by promoting transparency in government-citizen interactions, reducing arbitrary or intimidating encounters. No direct conflicts with free speech or privacy rights noted.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan concerns over public safety and trust in federal agencies, potentially influencing debates on immigration reform. As an introduced bill (August 1, 2025), it signals congressional intent to address localized crimes amid broader immigration tensions, without altering core enforcement powers.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

Cosponsors (10)

Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
• 2025-08-01: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-08-01: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Combating Law Enforcement Anonymity by Requiring Identification Disclosure Act — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (5 pages)