Legislative Bulletin

 

 

Good afternoon, 

Welcome to the National Immigration Forum's weekly bulletin. Every Friday, our policy team rounds up key developments around immigration policy in Washington, D.C., and across the country. The bulletin includes items on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as some coverage at the state and local levels.  

You can find the online version of the bulletin here: [link removed] [link removed] 

With hope, 

Nicci 

***

**LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN — Friday, June 13, 2025**

**DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS WEEK** Here, we summarize some of the most important recent developments in immigration policy on the federal, legal, state, and local levels.  

**Federal**

******Protests Against Immigration Raids Spread Nationwide as Administration Readies Tactical Units, as California Lawsuit Challenging Federal Deployment of National Guard is Appealed**** ** Protests against federal immigration enforcement actions have erupted across the U.S. in the wake of a major crackdown in Los Angeles, California, which began on June 6. The unrest began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted large-scale raids i [link removed] neighborhoods with substantial immigrant populations, detaining hundreds and sparking immediate demonstrations. In Los Angeles, the protests have continued for seven consecutive days, including clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, resulting in the use of crowd control [link removed] measures such as flash bangs, foam bullets, and curfews. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed and handcuffed [link removed] during a June 12 press conference after attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the raids. Immediately, lawmakers and advocacy groups decried [link removed] it as an “unconscionable” escalation and a threat to democratic norms.  

The administration’s response to the protests has included the deployment [link removed] of thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines [link removed], despite objections [link removed] from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Governor Newsom characterized the federalization of the California National Guard as an “unlawful militarization [link removed]” and filed a lawsuit [link removed] to block the deployment, arguing that it represented an abuse of presidential power and a threat to state sovereignty. A federal judge [link removed] initially ruled [link removed] the deployment illegal and ordered the return of control to state authorities, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has since temporarily stayed that order, allowing the troops to remain as the case continues. In San Antonio, Texas, demonstrations remained peaceful [link removed] after the arrival of the national guard on June 11 at the behest [link removed] of Governor Greg Abbott. With additional protests planned [link removed] for the weekend and the further National Guard mobilizations in Texas [link removed], the standoff between federal authorities and local communities has raised concerns about civil liberties and the rule of law. 

As tensions escalated in Los Angeles, the Trump administration reportedly began preparing [link removed] to deploy ICE’s Special Response Teams (SRTs) to Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, northern Virginia, and New York. These tactical units, equipped with armored vehicles and specialized gear, are typically reserved for high-risk operations. The administration has stated that the teams have been told to be ready to deploy, though it remains unclear when or if raids will begin in these cities. Meanwhile, protests have spread to dozens of cities nationwide, including New York [link removed], Chicago [link removed], Dallas [link removed],  and San Francisco [link removed], with thousands participating in rallies and marches to support immigrants and condemn the administration’s policies. 

******Administration Reportedly Planned to Transfer Thousands of Undocumented Migrants to Guantanamo**** ** The Trump administration reportedly considered a significant increase in the transfer of undocumented migrants to the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. According to documents [link removed] obtained by POLITICO and reporting [link removed] from the Washington Post, as many as 9,000 individuals, including hundreds from European countries such as Britain, Italy, France, Germany, and others, were being vetted for transfer to the infamous facility. Currently, Guantanamo is being used to hold about 43 detainees [link removed], according to Defense Department officials. The administration’s consideration of such a large-scale transfer has drawn criticism [link removed] from U.S. diplomats and allies [link removed] alike, with concerns raised about the welfare of detainees and the diplomatic implications of sending citizens of friendly nations to a facility notorious for its history of human rights abuses. Legal challenges [link removed] to the use of Guantanamo for migrant detention remain ongoing. 

The new plan aligns with President Trump’s stated goal of detaining up to 30,000 migrants [link removed] at Guantanamo. The plan was reported days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions  surpassed 50,000 [link removed], the highest number since September 2019. The administration has pursued expanding Guantanamo’s detention capacity, with a recent request [link removed] to increase a medium-security facility from 140 to 300 beds and the earlier construction of a tent city capable of holding more than 3,000 people, though the tents were never used and were dismantled [link removed] before the Caribbean hurricane season. As of June 13, the administration appears to have paused [link removed] the large-scale transfer plans, and it is unclear when or if the plan will move forward. 

******As DACA Reaches Thirteenth Anniversary, Future of the Program Remains in Limbo****  ** On June 15, 2025, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [link removed] (DACA) program will mark its thirteenth anniversary. Established in 2012 by executive action, DACA has provided work authorization and protection from deportation to hundreds of thousands of undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), approximately 533,280 individuals [link removed] held active DACA status as of December 31, 2024, with many recipients now in their twenties and thirties and established [link removed] in careers and family life. 

As the anniversary approaches, the program remains under significant legal [link removed] and political [link removed] pressure. On January 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled [link removed] that major elements of the Biden administration’s 2022 DACA regulation were unlawful and inconsistent with federal immigration law. However, the court allowed current DACA recipients across the country to continue renewing their status while litigation proceeds. The Fifth Circuit’s mandate, effective March 11, has resulted [link removed] in a patchwork of protections: in Texas, new DACA grants now provide protection from deportation but do not include work authorization, while the full program continues to operate in the other 49 states. As a result, USCIS must continue to accept and process [link removed] renewal DACA applications but is not processing new requests “at this time.” 

******Department of Homeland Security Announces End of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal**** ** The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced [link removed] on June 5 that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status [link removed] (TPS) for Nepal, with protections set to expire on August 5, 2025. This action follows the second Trump administration’s termination of TPS for Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Venezuela. Citing improved conditions in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake, Homeland Security Secretary Noem concluded [link removed] that “there is no longer a disruption of living conditions and Nepal is able to handle adequately the return of its nationals.” The termination affects [link removed] over 7,000 Nepalese individuals who have lived and worked in the U.S. for at least a decade under the program. The Biden administration had previously rescinded [link removed] the first Trump administration’s termination of TPS for Nepal, extending the designation through June 24, 2025. Advocacy groups have denounced the administration’s decisions, arguing [link removed] that many affected individuals have built lives in the U.S. and continue to contribute to the economy.  

**Legal**

******Legal Battle Continues Over Return and Prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia After Wrongful Deportation**** ** Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant who was wrongfully [link removed] deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 court order barring [link removed] his removal due to fear of persecution, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee on June 13 to be arraigned [link removed] on charges of conspiracy [link removed] to transport undocumented migrants and unlawful transportation of aliens. Federal prosecutors are seeking his detention pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk, while his attorneys deny [link removed] these claims and reject allegations that he is a member of the MS-13 gang. 

The Trump administration returned Abrego Garcia to the U.S. after a months-long legal battle [link removed] and repeated court orders, including [link removed] from a Maryland federal judge and the Supreme Court, which affirmed the requirement that he be brought back to face due process.  

Abrego Garcia’s removal, which an administration official described [link removed] as an “administrative error”, and the ensuing legal developments have become a political flashpoint. His attorneys have accused [link removed] the administration of “delay and secrecy,” arguing that officials engaged in an “elaborate, all-of-government effort to defy court orders, deny due process, and disparage Abrego Garcia.” As recently as June 12, his legal team filed [link removed] motions in Maryland federal court seeking sanctions [link removed] against the Trump administration for failing to comply with discovery obligations and for persistent defiance of judicial orders, requesting fines and further investigation into the government’s conduct. The Department of Justice maintains [link removed] that it has fulfilled its obligations by returning Abrego Garcia and intends to move to dismiss the Maryland case. 

**State and Local**

******ICE Targets Key Agricultural and Manufacturing Workplaces in Nebraska and California Amid Renewed Focus on Worksite Enforcement**** ** Federal immigration authorities have intensified worksite enforcement operations [link removed] across the country, with recent large-scale raids at a Nebraska [link removed] meat processing plant and California [link removed] agricultural sites sparking widespread concern among employers, workers, and lawmakers. On June 10, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted what officials described [link removed] as the largest Nebraska worksite raid of the current administration, detaining more than seventy workers at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha. Company executives expressed confusion and frustration, noting [link removed] that they had used the federal E-Verify system to verify employees’ legal status, only to be told by ICE officials that the system “is broken.” In California, ICE agents also targeted produce farms in Ventura and surrounding counties, detaining [link removed] dozens of farmworkers. The raids have raised concerns among advocates, who note that an estimated 255,700 farmworker [link removed] in California are undocumented and that these enforcement actions are causing widespread anxiety within the workforce 

On June 12, President Trump wrote [link removed] on Truth Social: “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.” He promised [link removed] forthcoming policy changes to address worker shortages but later appeared to walk back [link removed] his comments in response to backlash. Previously, House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) had criticized [link removed] the raids, telling reporters, “[l]et's go after the criminals and give us time to put processes in place so we don’t disrupt the food supply chain.” The US agriculture sector relies [link removed] heavily on workers without legal status, with over forty percent [link removed] of crop farmworkers nationwide lacking work authorization, according to the Agriculture Department, and Trump's Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, has advocated for finding a solution to help farmers who rely on these workers. 

****BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED** ** It is hard to keep up with the constant deluge of proposed legislation in the 119th Congress. So, every week, we round up federal legislative proposals that have recently been introduced and that are relevant to immigration policy.*

**S. 1993** [link removed]

**** 

**Reimbursement for Immigration Partnerships with Police to Allow Local Law Enforcement (RIPPLE) Act** 

The bill [link removed] would permit limited reimbursements for the cost of salaries and overtime pay for employees of States performing the functions of immigration officers. This is a companion bill of H.R. 3882 [link removed]. 

Sponsored by Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida) (1 [link removed] cosponsor — 1 Republican, 0 Democrats)  

06/09/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Senator Ashley Moody  

06/09/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

**S. 1997** [link removed] 

**Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals (Stop GAPS) Act** 

The bill [link removed] would require the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work with states when placing unaccompanied migrant children with an adult or entity seeking custody. 

Sponsored by Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida) (0 [link removed] cosponsors)  

06/09/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Senator Ashley Moody  

06/09/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions 

**S. 2001** [link removed] 

**No Visas for Violent Criminals Act** 

The bill would immediately terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of any offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels, any offense related to the individual’s conduct at and during the course of a protest, or any offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property. 

Sponsored by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) (1 [link removed] cosponsor — 1 Republican, 0 Democrats)  

06/10/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Senator Tom Cotton  

06/10/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

**S. 2036** [link removed] 

**Putting American Students First Act** 

The bill would prohibit the Department of Education from allowing undocumented immigrants to access the TRIO programs. The TRIO students are designed to identify and provide services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a companion bill of H.R. 3913 [link removed]. 

Sponsored by Senator Jim Banks (R-Indiana) (0 [link removed] cosponsors)  

06/11/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Senator Jim Banks  

06/11/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions  

**H.R. 3780** [link removed] 

**Border Operations Service Medal Act** 

The bill aims to honor U.S. service members and federal personnel who have been deployed to the U.S. southern border under President Trump’s 2025 National Emergency declaration. 

Sponsored by Representative Tim Moore (R-North Carolina) (13 [link removed] cosponsors — 12 Republicans, 1 Democrat)  

06/05/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Tim Moore  

06/05/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services 

**H.R. 3781** [link removed]

**** 

**Visa Overstay Penalties Act**  

The bill would classify visa overstays as a criminal offense. It would also impose up to six months of jail time for first-time offenders and up to two years for repeat offenders. This is a companion bill of S. 1937. 

Sponsored by Representative Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) (6 [link removed] cosponsors — 6 Republicans, 0 Democrats)  

06/05/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Nathaniel Moran  

06/05/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**H.R. 3828** [link removed] 

**Combating Deceptive Immigration Enforcement Practices Act of 2025** 

The bill [link removed] would prohibit immigration officers from wearing any clothing bearing the word “police.” 

Sponsored by Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-New York) (7 [link removed] cosponsors — 7 Democrats Republicans, 0 Republicans)  

06/06/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Nydia Velazquez  

06/06/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**H.R. 3832** [link removed] 

**Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act** 

The bill would permit a surviving spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen public safety officer who died as a result of their service to be eligible to immediately apply for naturalization. 

Sponsored by Representative Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) (1 [link removed] cosponsor — 1 Democrat, 0 Republicans)  

06/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Don Bacon  

06/09/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**H.R. 3837** [link removed] 

**EO 14218 Act of 2025** 

The bill would codify Executive Order 14218 relating to ending taxpayer subsidization of “open borders.” 

Sponsored by Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee) (0 [link removed] cosponsors)  

06/09/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Tim Burchett  

06/09/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

**H.R. 3859** [link removed] 

**No Safe Harbor for Riot Offenders Act** 

The bill [link removed] would mandate the deportation and permanent inadmissibility for non-citizens who attack law enforcement officers or vandalize public property during protests. 

Sponsored by Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) (23 [link removed] cosponsors — 23 Republicans, 0 Democrats)  

06/10/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Dan Crenshaw  

06/10/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**H.R. 3891** [link removed] 

**Northern Border Staffing and Security Enhancement Act** 

The bill [link removed] would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a comprehensive Northern Border Threat Analysis to Congress every 5 years. In addition, the bill would require DHS to address staffing challenges at northern ports of entry. 

Sponsored by Representative Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota) (7 [link removed] cosponsors — 7 Republicans, 0 Democrats)  

06/10/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Pete Stauber  

06/10/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security 

**H.R. 3926** [link removed] 

**Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act** 

The bill would prohibit noncitizens who endorse of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS from entering, or remaining in, the U.S. 

Sponsored by Representative August Pfluger (R-Texas) (3 [link removed] cosponsors — 3 Republicans, 0 Democrats)  

06/11/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative August Pfluger  

06/11/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**H.R. 3929** [link removed] 

**Giving Alien Migrants Back through Lawful Excise Redistribution (GAMBLER) Act** 

The bill [link removed] would redirect existing federal wagering excise taxes to immigration enforcement. 

Sponsored by Representative Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) (1 [link removed] cosponsors — 1 Republican, 0 Democrats)  

06/11/2025 Introduced in the House by Representative Michael Rulli  

06/11/2025 Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and on the Judiciary 

****LEGISLATIVE FLOOR CALENDAR** ** The U.S. Senate will be in session Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18, while the House of Representatives will be in recess from Monday June 16, until Monday, June 23. 

**GOVERNMENT REPORTS** Reports by bodies such as the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General provide invaluable information on immigration policy and practice. Here, we give brief summaries of new immigration-related reports with links to the resources themselves in case you want to learn more. 

**Congressional Research Service (CRS);****The CBP Home Mobile Application and “Self-Departure”** [link removed]

**; Publicly Released June 12, 2025**  The memo explains that President Trump’s May 9, 2025 proclamation, “Establishing Project Homecoming,” offers certain undocumented individuals a choice to voluntarily depart the U.S., leveraging the CBP Home app to facilitate “self-departure” and provide incentives such as travel assistance and a $1,000 stipend for those who confirm their completed departure. The memo further clarifies that the initiative replaces prior CBP One appointment and parole programs, encourages voluntary departure for all without lawful status, and outlines both incentives and legal consequences for individuals who choose to stay in the U.S. 

**Congressional Research Service (CRS);****Presidential Proclamation of June 4, 2025, Restricting the Entry of Certain Foreign Nationals** [link removed]

**; Publicly Released June 9, 2025**  The memo explains that President Trump’s June 4, 2025 proclamation suspends the entry of nationals from 19 countries (12 with a full suspension and 7 with a partial suspension) citing national security concerns and deficiencies in screening and vetting information as the basis for the action. The memo further clarifies that the proclamation includes specific exceptions for certain travelers and requires ongoing review and engagement with affected countries to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration and security standards. 

****SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM RESOURCES** ** The Forum is constantly publishing new policy-focused resources that engage with some of the most topical issues around immigration today. Here are a few that are particularly relevant this week: 

**Explainer: Revocation of Student Visas and Termination of SEVIS Records** [link removed]  Our latest explainer finds that, although the U.S. government has broad discretion to revoke a student visa, it cannot terminate a student’s SEVIS record unilaterally without sufficient legal justification. Critically, a SEVIS termination does not automatically terminate a student’s lawful status but does make the student “subject to removal,” exposing them to future legal peril. 

**Halting of Texas’ In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students: Explainer** [link removed]  Our explainer details the impact of the rescission of Texas' in-state tuition policy for undocumented students. Texas has the second-highest number of undocumented students in higher education in the country (57,000) and this court decision - which was made despite the Texas legislature refusing to repeal the policy - will have a significant impact on the state's future workforce.  

**One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Immigration Provisions** [link removed]  Our explainer outlines the funding provided by the House reconciliation bill, H.R.1, for immigration purposes and the expansive policy provisions also included in the bill. 

*As of publication (6/13/25 at 3:00 PM EST) 

**This Bulletin is not intended to be comprehensive. Please contact Nicci Mattey, Senior Policy & Advocacy Associate at the National Immigration Forum, with questions, comments, and suggestions for additional items to be included. Nicci can be reached at****[email protected]** mailto:[email protected]

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