A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "PAPERS Act of 2026," proposes to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. It would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to return identification documents to individuals when they are released from custody. These "covered documents" include items like passports, driver's licenses, and social security cards. The Secretary can only keep a document if it is fraudulent, contraband, evidence in a criminal proceeding, or if the person is no longer legally entitled to it. If a document is kept, the Secretary must provide a written explanation and a certified copy.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill protects immigrants from having their essential identification documents withheld for operational convenience or future enforcement.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to provide a written explanation if a document is being retained.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The return of identity documents like social security cards and birth certificates provides essential documentation for low-income individuals.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill restricts the ability of officials to retain documents for anticipated future immigration enforcement actions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Return of Essential Identification: The bill requires the return of specific items such as original passports, birth certificates, and driver's licenses upon release from custody (Section 2, subsection a and d). This ensures individuals have access to their primary forms of identification.
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Accountability for Document Retention: The Secretary is prohibited from keeping documents for "operational convenience" or "anticipated future immigration enforcement action" (Section 2, subsection e). This prevents the government from holding onto personal records for reasons unrelated to the specific exceptions listed.
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Provision of Alternatives: If the government decides to keep a document based on a legal exception, they are required to provide the individual with a written explanation and a certified copy of the document (Section 2, subsection c). This ensures the individual still has a record of their identification.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exceptions for Document Retention: The Secretary may still retain important documents if they are deemed fraudulent, are considered contraband, are evidence in a criminal proceeding, or if the individual is no longer legally entitled to the document under Federal law (Section 2, subsection b).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill protects immigrants from having their essential identification documents withheld for operational convenience or future enforcement. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill ensures that immigrants in custody have their essential identification documents returned upon release. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The return of identity documents like social security cards and birth certificates provides essential documentation for low-income individuals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to provide a written explanation if a document is being retained.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill helps individuals maintain the essential identity documents required for various legal processes. Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill restricts the ability of officials to retain documents for anticipated future immigration enforcement actions.
- 2/25/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House