The POLICE Act of 2025 would add a new ground of deportability for noncitizens who assault a law enforcement officer. Specifically, it amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify as deportable any alien who is convicted of, admits having committed, or admits committing acts that constitute the essential elements of an offense involving assault of a law enforcement officer. The circumstances making it deportable include the assault occurring while the officer was performing duties, because of those duties, or because of the officer’s status. The bill also defines “assault” by the jurisdiction where the act occurred and broadens “law enforcement officer” to include officers authorized to engage in prevention/detention/investigation/prosecution/incarceration, as well as firefighters or other first responders. Additionally, the act requires an annual DHS report to Congress (and public release) detailing deportations under this provision. In short, the measure increases immigration enforcement by removing certain noncitizens who assault police or first responders from the country, and it adds regular reporting on the use of this removal ground.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new deportation ground: any alien convicted of, or who admits to, acts that constitute the essential elements of assaulting a law enforcement officer is deportable.
- 2Circumstances for deportability: the assault must involve a officer engaged in official duties, because of those duties, or because of the officer’s status.
- 3Broad definitions: “assault” is defined by the jurisdiction where the act occurred, and “law enforcement officer” includes those authorized to enforce laws, as well as firefighters or other first responders.
- 4Reporting requirement: the Secretary of Homeland Security must annually report to Congress (and publicly on DHS’s website) the number of aliens deported under this ground.
- 5Short title: the act is also known as the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act of 2025 (POLICE Act of 2025).