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The House passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, which significantly increases prison sentences and criminal penalties for people who illegally enter or reenter the United States.
H.R. 3486, known as the "Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025," seeks to deter unauthorized border crossings by toughening federal criminal punishments. The bill raises the maximum prison sentence for initial illegal entry from two years to five years. More severely, it introduces mandatory minimum sentences—ranging from five years to life in prison—for individuals who enter illegally and later commit other crimes, or for those who attempt to return to the U.S. after having been previously deported. This was a final passage vote, which is the last step the House of Representatives takes to approve a piece of legislation before it is sent to the Senate. In this stage, members are voting on whether the bill, in its final form, should move forward to potentially become law. The bill required a simple majority of the members present to pass. The bill passed with a vote of 226 to 197, largely following party lines with Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate does not take up the bill or fails to pass it, the legislation will not move forward to the President.
The bill will be received by the Senate, where it will likely be referred to a committee for consideration before any potential vote by the full Senate.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill would fundamentally increase the legal consequences for unauthorized border crossings, shifting toward long-term federal imprisonment as a deterrent. It highlights a sharp partisan divide over whether the criminal justice system is the appropriate tool for managing immigration policy.
Who’s affected. Non-U.S. citizens: Would face significantly longer mandatory prison sentences for illegal entry or reentry, especially those with prior removals or criminal records. · Federal Justice System: May experience a substantial increase in caseloads and a higher federal prison population for immigration-related offenses.
Democrats. Most Democrats opposed the bill, though 11 members broke with their party to vote 'yes.'
Republicans. Republicans were unified in their support, with all 214 present members voting 'yes.'
On Passage
Sep 11, 2025
The House passed the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, which significantly increases prison sentences and criminal penalties for people who illegally enter or reenter the United States.
This was a vote on final passage of the bill in the House of Representatives. It is the formal approval required by this chamber to move the legislation forward in the lawmaking process.
The bill will be received by the Senate, where it will likely be referred to a committee for consideration before any potential vote by the full Senate.
This bill would fundamentally increase the legal consequences for unauthorized border crossings, shifting toward long-term federal imprisonment as a deterrent. It highlights a sharp partisan divide over whether the criminal justice system is the appropriate tool for managing immigration policy.
The vote was almost entirely along party lines, with the Republican majority voting for the bill and the vast majority of Democrats voting against it.
Most Democrats opposed the bill, though 11 members broke with their party to vote 'yes.'
Republicans were unified in their support, with all 214 present members voting 'yes.'
The single independent member participating in the vote supported the measure.