Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025
Stop Illegal Reentry Act This bill establishes or increases criminal penalties for certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who illegally enter the United States and then commit a felony or illegally reenter the United States. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years and allows a life sentence for an individual who (1) improperly enters, or attempts to improperly enter, the United States; and (2) is subsequently convicted of a felony. The bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 2 years to 5 years for repeated improper entry. The bill also increases from 2 years to 10 years the maximum term of imprisonment for an individual who had been denied entry into or removed from the United States and who later enters or attempts to enter without prior approval. The bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 10 to 15 years if such an individual was convicted of three or more specified types of misdemeanors before removal. An individual who had been denied entry or removed three or more times and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and allows a life sentence for an individual who was convicted of a felony before removal, or convicted of illegal reentry at least two times before removal, and who subsequently enters or tries to enter the United States.
The provisions, in plain language.
Raises the maximum prison term for entering or attempting to enter the country improperly (outside a legal port of entry, by evading inspection, or by fraud) from 2 years to 5 years.
Creates a new criminal category: a person who entered the country improperly (outside a designated port, by evading inspection, or by fraud or concealment) and is later convicted of any crime carrying more than one year of possible prison time can be charged under this immigration statute for that improper entry.
Restates the base crime of re-entering, attempting to re-enter, or being found in the country after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed, unless the person first got the Homeland Security Secretary's consent to reapply or was not required to.
Sets a prison term of up to 15 years for re-entering after removal for a person who, before that removal, was convicted of three or more misdemeanors involving drugs or crimes against a person.
Sets a 10-year prison term, which cannot run at the same time as any other sentence, for re-entering after having been excluded or removed on terrorism-related grounds.
Sets a prison term of up to 10 years for re-entering after having been removed on national-security grounds.
Sets a prison term of up to 10 years for re-entering after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed three or more times.
Counts an agreement in which a person stipulates to being removed during a criminal case (state or federal) as a removal for purposes of these re-entry penalties.
Imposes a mandatory minimum prison sentence on a person who re-enters after removal if, before that removal, the person was convicted of an aggravated felony, any felony, or any crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
Moves the authority to consent to a removed person's reapplication for admission, and related decisions, from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- federal immigration and criminal enforcement agenciesGain higher statutory maximums, a mandatory minimum, and a new chargeable offense for improper entry followed by a serious crime, expanding the penalties available to prosecutors.
- the Secretary of Homeland SecurityReceives authority previously held by the Attorney General to consent to a removed person's reapplication for admission.
Who it burdens
- noncitizens who enter or re-enter without authorizationFace longer maximum prison terms (improper entry rises to 5 years) and, for re-entry after removal, new mandatory minimums and terms up to 15 years depending on prior convictions and removal history.
- noncitizens with prior criminal convictions or multiple removalsSingled out for the steepest penalties, including a mandatory minimum after any felony or crime punishable by over a year, and up to 15 years for three or more qualifying misdemeanors.
Who backs it
- federal prison system and taxpayersLonger sentences and a new mandatory minimum increase federal incarceration that is paid for with public funds, though the text states no specific appropriation.