H.R. 3486 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Sep 11, 2025. Received Sep 15, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryIncreases penalties for illegal reentry into US
This bill makes criminal penalties tougher for non-U.S. nationals who illegally enter the United States. It sets mandatory minimum prison sentences of 5 years (and allows life sentences) for people who illegally enter and then commit a felony. For people who repeatedly try to enter illegally, or who were previously removed and try to enter again, the bill increases maximum prison terms from 2 to 5 years for repeated entry, and from 2 to 10 years for those denied entry or removed who try again.
How it affects you
This bill doesn't directly affect most U.S. citizens. It would apply to non-U.S. nationals who attempt to enter the country illegally, particularly those with prior criminal records or multiple removal attempts. The changes would result in longer prison sentences for these individuals if prosecuted and convicted under these laws.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 19, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3486
AN ACT
Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie I. Bice (R-OK-5) · Introduced May 19, 2025 · Immigration · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 15, 2025: “Received in the Senate.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Passage · Sep 11, 2025
Passage Passed 226–197
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 11 | 197 | 5 |
| Republicans | 215 | 0 | 4 |
11 members voted against most of their party: 11 Democrats voted Yes.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.