hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Expands state role in immigrant removal, broadens 'aggravated felony' definition.
A U.S. Representative introduced this bill.
In committee, no House vote yet.
This bill allows state attorneys to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in immigrant removal proceedings and significantly expands the definition of 'aggravated felony,' making more crimes grounds for deportation. It was introduced by a U.S. Representative and is currently awaiting review by a House committee before any votes can occur.
Introduced Feb 24, 2026
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 24, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. For it to become law, it must pass through this committee, be voted on and passed by the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President. The introduction date is in the future, which is unusual for legislative text.
State-licensed attorneys could represent DHS in removal cases for non-citizens in correctional facilities or those whose state law violations relate to inadmissibility or deportability. The bill vastly expands the definition of an 'aggravated felony,' including more drug offenses, broader definitions of violence and theft crimes, war crimes, genocide, child soldier offenses, and any felony or crime punishable by over one year in prison under state or local law. This expanded definition means that more non-citizens convicted of such crimes would be subject to expedited deportation. Additionally, conviction of an aggravated felony would automatically classify an offense as a 'particularly serious crime,' which significantly limits a non-citizen's eligibility for asylum and other forms of relief from removal.
Supporters Say
Supporters believe it improves efficiency in immigrant removal and strengthens national security by expanding deportable offenses.
Critics Say
Critics may argue it could lead to increased deportations and fewer protections for non-citizens, broadening state authority.
Supporters would likely argue that the bill provides much-needed tools to streamline the deportation of non-citizens who commit crimes and ensures that a wider range of serious offenses triggers removal, thereby enhancing public safety. Critics would likely raise concerns that the broad expansion of 'aggravated felony' definitions could lead to a significant increase in deportations, potentially for offenses that are not violent or severe, and may reduce due process protections for non-citizens.