What This Bill Does
This bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to create and maintain a publicly accessible database listing information about each criminal alien who is released from custody. The goal is to give the public, state and local officials, and other agencies easier access to information about noncitizens with criminal records who are no longer being held by federal authorities. It would place DHS at the center of collecting, updating, and publishing that information. The measure is aimed at immigration enforcement and public-safety transparency rather than creating a new immigration category or benefit.
- Directs DHS to create and maintain a publicly accessible database.
- Database would cover each criminal alien released from custody.
- Shifts responsibility to the Secretary of Homeland Security for updates and maintenance.
- Aims to make release information easier for the public and local officials to access.
Who This Bill Affects
For the general public, this bill would mainly change access to information: DHS would be required to publish a publicly accessible database about criminal aliens released from custody. That could make it easier for communities and local officials to see release information, but it also creates privacy and misuse concerns for the people whose information would be posted. The practical effect is more transparency around federal release decisions, with possible downstream consequences for affected individuals and their families.
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- Public-safety advocates They would argue that a federal public database improves transparency and helps communities understand when people with criminal histories are released after immigration-related custody. They see it as a tool for accountability and local preparedness.
- Local law enforcement and sheriffs They may support faster access to federal release information so officers know whom they may encounter and can coordinate with federal authorities. A centralized database could reduce delays and confusion caused by scattered records.
- Victims' rights groups They may view the database as a way to keep victims and families informed when a person with a criminal history is released. The argument is that public notice can help people make safety decisions and follow case developments.
- Civil-liberties and privacy advocates They would likely object to public posting of identifying information tied to criminal and immigration status, arguing it can expose people to stigma, harassment, or mistaken identification. They may also worry about incomplete or outdated records being disseminated widely.
- Immigrant-rights groups They are likely to argue that the bill treats noncitizens as a public registry category and can fuel fear in immigrant communities. They may say it increases the risk of collective punishment and discourages cooperation with authorities.
- Legal aid and reentry advocates They may argue that publishing release information can make reintegration harder by affecting employment, housing, and family stability. Their concern is that public visibility may create lasting penalties beyond the underlying criminal case.
Key Implications
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““create and maintain a publicly accessible database””
DHS would have to build an online system that the public can search or view, making release information easier to obtain than through agency-by-agency requests.
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““information about each criminal alien who is released from custody””
The database would focus on noncitizens with criminal histories who are no longer detained, so the practical effect depends on how broadly DHS defines who is included and what information is displayed.
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““Secretary of Homeland Security””
The bill places the implementation burden on DHS, meaning the agency would need to decide how records are verified, updated, and presented to the public.
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““publicly accessible””
Because the information would be open to the public, the bill raises questions about privacy, accuracy, and how the data might be used by employers, landlords, or community members.
Latest Status
June 18, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.