Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8173
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.
Last Updated: 2026-04-09T20:50:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation This bill provides appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 and introduces policy reforms focused on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. It combines standard funding allocations with new operational requirements for immigration enforcement.

Key Provisions

Appropriations (Division A): Allocates specific funding amounts across DHS components, including:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Approximately $17.7 billion for operations and support, plus procurement funds.
ICE: Approximately $10 billion for operations, with detailed allocations for investigations, detention, and removals.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Coast Guard, Secret Service, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Targeted funding for operations, procurement, research, and grants (e.g., homeland security grants, firefighter assistance).
Additional funding for body-worn cameras for immigration enforcement agents.
Administrative and Oversight Provisions: Requires numerous reports to Congress on budgets, acquisitions, grants, pilot programs, and fund execution. Includes restrictions on reprogramming funds, pilot program documentation, and intelligence activities.
Title VI (Bipartisan ICE Reform Act of 2026): Mandates body-worn cameras for immigration agents during public enforcement actions, with specific retention rules for footage. Requires visible identification (badge, agency name, face) for officers during enforcement. Establishes independent FBI investigations for ICE officer-involved shootings. Prioritizes detention and removal of individuals posing public safety threats. Requires standardized 5-month training and uniforms for ICE agents. Limits detention of U.S. citizens to cases with probable cause of a crime. Requires warrants or probable cause for criminal immigration arrests. Restricts civil enforcement actions at "sensitive locations" (e.g., schools, hospitals, places of worship, polling places) without a warrant, except in exigent circumstances. Directs CBP to focus on its core border protection mission.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces new mandatory use of body cameras and identification standards for immigration enforcement personnel, with disciplinary consequences for noncompliance.
Adds requirements for warrants in certain arrests and protections at sensitive locations, which are not standard under prior immigration statutes.
Establishes independent oversight mechanisms (FBI investigations, annual reporting) for use-of-force incidents.
Creates funding withholding authority from states whose law enforcement agencies do not align with federal enforcement priorities.
Modifies training, uniform, and operational standards for ICE agents beyond previous requirements.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Increases administrative burdens on DHS components through reporting, compliance, and training mandates. May require additional resources for technology (body cameras) and oversight. Affects coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
On Citizens: Provides new protections for U.S. citizens against improper detention and limits enforcement near sensitive community sites. May affect public access to information through body camera footage retention rules.
On International Relations: Could influence partnerships with foreign governments on immigration enforcement and investigations, particularly regarding overseas operations and vetting.

Main Stakeholders Affected

DHS agencies (ICE, CBP, TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA, Secret Service).
Congress (House and Senate Appropriations Committees).
Immigration enforcement personnel and law enforcement officers.
Individuals subject to immigration enforcement (noncitizens and U.S. citizens).
State and local governments.
Civil rights and privacy advocacy organizations.
Communities near sensitive locations (schools, healthcare facilities, religious sites).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Raises potential Fourth Amendment considerations regarding warrant requirements and enforcement at sensitive locations.
Involves due process issues related to detention of U.S. citizens and use of force oversight.
Includes federalism elements through funding conditions on state compliance.
Introduces privacy and transparency measures via body cameras, balanced against law enforcement operational needs.
The bill combines appropriations with substantive policy changes, which may affect the legislative process and implementation timelines.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

Recent Actions

2026-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.
2026-04-02: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.
2026-04-02: Introduced in House
2026-04-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act — issued 2026-04-02 — PDF (123 pages)