Say No to Warrantless Searches Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7939
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T19:20:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 7939: Say No to Warrantless Searches Act
Purpose
The bill aims to protect Fourth Amendment rights (which guard against unreasonable searches and seizures) by requiring federal law enforcement officers to obtain a judicial warrant before searching private property during immigration enforcement actions.
Key Provisions
- Warrant Requirement: Federal officers conducting immigration enforcement cannot search private property without a judge-issued warrant.
- Exceptions:
- Lawfully obtained consent from the property owner or occupant.
- Exigent circumstances (emergency situations requiring immediate action, like imminent danger).
- Non-Retroactivity: The new rule does not imply that Fourth Amendment protections were absent before the law's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357), which outlines immigration officers' powers.
- Adds a new subsection (i) explicitly mandating warrants for private property searches in immigration contexts, limiting previous authority for warrantless searches outside the exceptions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Immigration enforcement agencies (e.g., ICE) must secure warrants more often, potentially slowing operations but ensuring legal compliance.
- Citizens and Residents: Increases privacy protections for property owners during immigration checks, reducing risks of unauthorized intrusions.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may affect how U.S. immigration enforcement is perceived abroad.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Law Enforcement: Immigration officers required to follow stricter search procedures.
- Property Owners and Occupants: Gain stronger safeguards against searches.
- Immigrants and Communities: Potentially fewer warrantless raids in immigrant-heavy areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional Reinforcement: Codifies Fourth Amendment standards specifically for immigration enforcement, clarifying protections without altering broader case law.
- Legal Clarity: Exceptions align with existing Supreme Court precedents on consent and emergencies.
- Political Context: Limits executive discretion in immigration, potentially sparking debates on balancing security and civil liberties. The non-retroactivity clause avoids challenging past actions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Say No to Warrantless Searches Act — issued 2026-03-16 — PDF (2 pages)