A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 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
The New Pathways Act aims to amend the Second Chance Act of 2007. This legislation focuses on providing identification assistance to returning citizens. For United States citizens, the Director is required to provide a photo identification card that meets REAL ID Act requirements before their release from federal prison or community confinement. The Act also requires assistance in obtaining social security cards and proof of citizenship. For noncitizen covered individuals, the Director must assist in obtaining proof of lawful status and employment authorization. Additionally, the bill allows for assistance in developing a release plan for direct-release prisoners.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill provides direct assistance to noncitizens in obtaining proof of status and employment authorization documents.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Providing necessary identification helps low-income individuals access essential services and employment opportunities upon release.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill assists noncitizens in obtaining proof of lawful status and employment authorization, which are key steps in the immigration process.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Provision of Identification for Citizens: The Director must provide a photo identification card that complies with REAL ID Act requirements to United States citizen covered individuals before they are released from prison or community confinement (Section 2, Paragraph 2(A)).
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Help Securing Essential Documents: The Director is tasked with obtaining social security cards and documents proving United States citizenship on behalf of covered individuals (Section 2, Paragraph 2(B)(i)).
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Support for Noncitizens: The Director is required to assist noncitizen covered individuals in obtaining proof of lawful status and, if applicable, employment authorization documents (Section 2, Paragraph 3(A)).
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Assistance with Immigration Paperwork: For noncitizens, the assistance includes providing necessary forms and instructions, as well as helping complete and submit those forms with supporting documentation (Section 2, Paragraph 3(B)).
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Release Planning Assistance: A representative of the United States Probation System can help a direct-release prisoner develop a release plan upon that prisoner's request (Section 2, Paragraph 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Document Acquisition Failures: If a federal or state agency does not respond to a request for a required document, the Director can only provide a written statement explaining the steps taken and any documents received (Section 2, Paragraph 2(B)(iii)(I)).
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Authorization Issues: If a United States citizen covered individual does not provide the necessary authorization, the Director will not obtain the required documents and will instead provide a written statement explaining why (Section 2, Paragraph 2(B)(iii)(II)).
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 provides direct assistance to noncitizens in obtaining proof of status and employment authorization documents. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing necessary identification helps low-income individuals access essential services and employment opportunities upon release. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The assistance with employment authorization and lawful status helps noncitizen immigrants integrate more easily.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill assists noncitizens in obtaining proof of lawful status and employment authorization, which are key steps in the immigration process. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing identification and employment authorization helps returning citizens secure stable income and overcome barriers to economic stability.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — By assisting noncitizens in obtaining employment authorization documents, the bill facilitates easier entry into the workforce.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Director to provide written statements explaining why certain documents could not be obtained.
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York