NO ICE ADs Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7395

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:07:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "NO ICE ADs Act" (H.R. 7395) aims to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using federal funds for television advertisements that promote U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including efforts to recruit staff or improve ICE's public image.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The legislation is officially named the "NO ICE ADs Act."
• Prohibition on Fund Use: The Secretary of DHS is barred from obligating (committing) or expending (spending) any federal funds to produce, purchase, distribute, or broadcast TV advertisements intended to:
• Promote ICE or any of its programs or offices.
• Recruit personnel for ICE.
• Enhance the public perception, branding, or overall image of ICE.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a specific ban on using DHS funds for promotional TV ads related to ICE, which was not previously restricted in federal law. Prior to this, DHS could potentially allocate funds for such advertising as part of broader agency outreach or recruitment efforts, subject to general congressional appropriations oversight.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS and ICE would face limitations on TV-based promotional activities, potentially redirecting resources to other forms of outreach (e.g., online or print) or reducing overall marketing budgets. This could constrain ICE's ability to build public support or attract employees through television.
• On Citizens: The public may encounter fewer TV ads about ICE, affecting awareness of its role in immigration enforcement and customs. It could indirectly influence perceptions of ICE by curbing government-led image enhancement efforts.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts are outlined, though reduced promotional visibility might subtly affect how ICE's enforcement activities are perceived abroad if TV ads previously reached international audiences.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE: Directly restricted in using funds for TV promotions, impacting operations and recruitment.
• Congressional Sponsors: Representatives Bell, Goldman (NY), Cleaver, and Carson, who introduced the bill, representing interests in oversight of federal spending.
• Media and Advertising Industry: Potential loss of government contracts for TV ad production and broadcasting.
• General Public and Potential ICE Recruits: Affected through reduced exposure to ICE-related messaging on television.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The prohibition focuses on federal spending restrictions, which Congress has broad authority over under the Appropriations Clause of the U.S. Constitution (allowing control of government funds). It does not broadly limit speech but targets specific uses of taxpayer money, avoiding First Amendment challenges related to government advertising.
• Constitutional: No major constitutional issues are evident, as the bill regulates executive branch expenditures rather than private expression.
• Political: The measure could signal congressional intent to scrutinize ICE's public relations amid debates over immigration policy, potentially limiting the agency's ability to counter negative publicity through TV media. It may encourage alternative oversight mechanisms for agency branding.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
• 2026-02-05: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-02-05: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-02-05: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• NO ICE ADs Act — issued 2026-02-05 — PDF (2 pages)