Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025
Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025 adds a new immigration-law ground tied to trespassing on military facilities. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to forbid admission (inadmissibility) and to require removal (deportation) of aliens who have been convicted of, or who admit having committed, acts that constitute the essential elements of an offense under 18 U.S.C. 1382 (entering military, naval, or coast guard property). In practical terms, someone who has been convicted of or who admits to acts that meet the core elements of 1382 would be barred from entering the United States and could be deported if already present. This creates an explicit immigration consequence for engaging in or admitting to trespassing on military assets. The bill frames the new ground in two places: for inadmissibility (INA 212(a)(2)(J)) and for deportability (INA 237(a)(2)(G)). It relies on existing criminal statute 18 U.S.C. 1382, which covers unlawful entry onto defense-related property, to determine the offense. The act does not specify exemptions or waivers and does not outline detailed procedures beyond adding these grounds to the INA.
Key Points
- 1Adds a new inadmissibility ground: Aliens who have been convicted of, admit having committed, or admit committing acts that constitute the essential elements of an offense under 18 U.S.C. 1382 (entering military, naval, or coast guard property) are inadmissible to the United States.
- 2Adds a new deportability ground: Aliens convicted of an offense under 18 U.S.C. 1382 (entering military, naval, or coast guard property) are deportable.
- 3Ties to existing statute: Uses 18 U.S.C. 1382 as the basis for the offense, and the INA sections (212(a)(2) and 237(a)(2)) as the immigration consequences.
- 4Scope of offense: Focuses specifically on unlawful entry onto military, naval, or coast guard property, aiming to deter and penalize trespassing on sensitive defense assets.
- 5Admissions trigger: The inadmissibility provision extends to admissions of acts that constitute the essential elements, not just formal convictions, broadening the potential basis for denial of entry.