The POLICE Act of 2025 would add a new ground for deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Specifically, it would make a noncitizen (alien) deportable if they have been convicted of, admit having committed, or admit committing acts that constitute the essential elements of any offense involving assault of a law enforcement officer. The assault must occur under circumstances tied to the officer’s duties or status, or to the officer’s performance of those duties. The bill also broadens who counts as a law enforcement officer (including firefighters and other first responders) and requires the Department of Homeland Security to publish an annual report listing how many aliens were deported under this new provision. The intent is to strengthen penalties for assaults on police and other first responders and to improve transparency about removals tied to these offenses.
Key Points
- 1New deportation ground: The bill creates a new category (G) under INA 237(a)(2) making aliens deportable for offenses involving assault of a law enforcement officer.
- 2Convictions or admissions: Deportability can arise from a conviction, an admission of having committed the offense, or an admission of acts that constitute the essential elements of an offense involving assault on a law enforcement officer.
- 3Circumstances of assault: The assault must occur while the officer is performing duties, because of performing duties, or because of the officer’s status as a law enforcement officer.
- 4Broad definition of who is an officer: “Law enforcement officer” includes not only police and corrections personnel but also firefighters and other first responders who are authorized by law to engage in prevention, detection, investigation, or arrest.
- 5Reporting requirement: DHS must annually report and publicly disclose the number of aliens deported during the previous fiscal year under this new ground.