hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Requires DHS to reimburse first responders for immigration enforcement help.
Rep. Min (Democrat, New York) and bipartisan co-sponsors.
Introduced, referred to three committees.
The bill would make the Department of Homeland Security pay state and local first responder agencies (like police, fire, EMS) when they respond to requests for help from ICE or CBP during immigration enforcement. Sponsors are primarily Democrats, led by Rep. Min. It's currently in the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means committees, with no floor vote yet.
Introduced Apr 9, 2026
This bill is under review by a committee. The committee holds hearings, gathers testimony from experts and stakeholders, and may propose amendments. If the committee votes to advance it, the bill moves to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
If passed, local agencies that currently absorb costs when helping ICE/CBP would be reimbursed within 30 days. This could free up local budgets for other services. The bill also protects first responders' personal information from release, except by court order. Reimbursements come from unspent DHS funds, so no new taxes are needed.
Supporters Say
Supporters say it fairly compensates local agencies for federal requests, preventing unfunded mandates.
Critics Say
Critics argue it could encourage local resistance to federal immigration enforcement by removing cost concerns.
Supporters note that many local agencies have tight budgets and shouldn't bear the cost of federal operations. Critics worry that reimbursing only for immigration-related responses might create a paper trail that discourages cooperation, or that it could slow down federal operations by adding bureaucracy.