Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
Key claim: The Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 (HR3486) establishes or increases criminal penalties—including new mandatory minimums of 5–10 years and possible life sentences—for non-U.S. nationals who improperly enter or reenter the United States, especially after felony convictions or repeated removals.
Abstract
(HR3486 · 119th Congress) Stop Illegal Reentry Act This bill establishes or increases criminal penalties for certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who illegally enter the United States and then commit a felony or illegally reenter the United States. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years and allows a life sentence for an individual who (1) improperly enters, or attempts to improperly enter, the United States; and (2) is subsequently convicted of a felony. The bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 2 years to 5 years for repeated improper entry. The bill also increases from 2 years to 10 years the maximum term of imprisonment for an individual who had been denied entry into or removed from the United States and who later enters or attempts to enter without prior approval. The bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 10 to 15 years if such an individual was convicted of three or more specified types of misdemeanors before removal. An individual who had been denied entry or removed three or more times and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and allows a life sentence for an individual who was convicted of a felony before removal, or convicted of illegal reentry at least two times before removal, and who subsequently enters or tries to enter the United States. Latest action (2025-09-15): Received in the Senate.
Why this matters
The bill would sharply escalate criminal exposure for unauthorized entry and reentry, converting conduct currently handled largely through civil removal or short-term misdemeanor prosecution into felonies carrying multi-year mandatory minimums and, in aggravated cases, life sentences. If enacted, it would expand the population of non-citizens funneled into federal criminal custody before removal, and constrain judicial and prosecutorial discretion in border-related cases.