hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Limits ICE surveillance and hiring until a detailed policy report is submitted.
Introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
In committee, no House vote yet.
This bill restricts the Department of Homeland Security from spending money on biometric or other surveillance systems, contracting for them, or hiring more ICE officers. These restrictions remain until ICE submits a comprehensive report detailing its surveillance policies. The report must include rules prohibiting the use of data collected from individuals exercising constitutional rights, and outline procedures for data access, storage, retention, and deletion. The bill was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, and is currently under review by House committees.
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
This bill, H.R. 7743, was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 26, 2026. It has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee for consideration. For it to become law, it must be approved by both committees, pass a vote in the full House of Representatives, pass a vote in the Senate, and then be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, the Department of Homeland Security would be prohibited from funding new biometric or surveillance systems, continuing contracts for existing ones, or hiring additional ICE officers. This pause would last until ICE provides a report outlining a clear policy that protects data collected from individuals exercising their constitutional rights. The bill also requires the deletion of certain information collected by ICE between January 1, 2026, and the bill's enactment date, unless a compliant policy is established. Additionally, ICE would need to provide a way for individuals to review, contest, or remove information collected while they were exercising constitutional rights.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill protects civil liberties and ensures government transparency regarding surveillance.
Critics Say
Critics might contend it hinders essential immigration enforcement capabilities and national security efforts.
Those in favor would likely emphasize the importance of safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring government accountability in its use of surveillance technologies. They would argue that requiring clear, protective policies from ICE is essential for public trust and privacy. Opponents might raise concerns that these restrictions could weaken ICE's operational capabilities, potentially impacting their ability to conduct immigration enforcement effectively or address national security threats by limiting access to tools and personnel.