S. 114 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands state and local immigration enforcement
This bill gives state and local governments new authority to help enforce federal immigration laws by apprehending and holding people who are in the country unlawfully. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to take custody of detained individuals within 48 hours of a request, creates 20 new federal detention facilities, and reimburses states and local jurisdictions for the costs of detaining people facing removal. The bill also protects state and local law enforcement officers from certain lawsuits related to immigration enforcement activities.
How it affects you
If you live in a state or locality that participates in these programs, local police may become more involved in immigration enforcement. States and counties that refuse to cooperate could lose certain federal funding. People who are in the country unlawfully may face faster processing and detention. State and local taxpayers may see changes in how their law enforcement resources are used and funded.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 16, 2025)
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2025 or the CLEAR Act of 2025
This bill establishes requirements and programs related to the detention of individuals unlawfully present in the United States and facing removal, including the role of state and local governments in this process.
The bill provides that state and local governments have the authority to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, including by apprehending individuals and transferring them to federal custody. Jurisdictions that prohibit such cooperation are barred from receiving certain federal funding.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must within 48 hours of a request by a state or local authority take custody of an individual unlawfully present in the United States. The bill also establishes requirements for state or local detention and provides for reimbursement for reasonable expenses. The Government Accountability Office must also audit such reimbursements.
DHS must also construct 20 additional detention facilities in the United States for individuals facing removal.
The bill also (1) extends certain federal immunity from liability to state and local law enforcement officers, (2) provides immunity to state or local law enforcement agencies from certain money damages, and (3) requires states to participate in programs to expedite the removal of individuals subject to removal who are serving criminal sentences.
The bill also establishes a grant program, provides for the development of state and local law enforcement training materials, and requires state and local governments to provide information about certain detained individuals.
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 SessionS. 114
A BILL
CLEAR Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Immigration · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 16, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 14
- Sec. 1Short titles; table of contentsNo change
- Sec. 2DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 3Federal affirmation of assistance in the immigration law enforcement by States and political subdivisions of StatesNo change
- Sec. 4State authorization for assistance in the enforcement of immigration laws encouragedNo change
- Sec. 5Listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center databaseNo change
- Sec. 6State and local law enforcement provision of information about apprehended aliensNo change
- Sec. 7Financial assistance to State and local law enforcement agencies that assist in the enforcement of immigration lawsNo change
- Sec. 8Increased Federal detention spaceNo change
- Sec. 9Federal custody of aliens unlawfully present in the United States apprehended by State or local law enforcementNo change
- Sec. 10Training of State and local law enforcement personnel relating to the enforcement of immigration lawsNo change
- Sec. 11ImmunityNo change
- Sec. 12Institutional Removal ProgramNo change
- Sec. 13Authorization of appropriationsNo change
- Sec. 14SeverabilityNo change