A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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 "ICE Out of Our Faces Act," aims to limit the Department of Homeland Security's use of facial recognition. It prohibits covered immigration officers from acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using biometric surveillance systems or information derived from them within the United States. The Act requires the deletion of all such collected information within 30 days of enactment. It also establishes that information obtained in violation of these rules is inadmissible in most legal proceedings. Finally, it provides individuals and State attorneys general the right to sue the Federal Government for violations.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The act provides strong protections against government biometric surveillance and establishes a private right of action for privacy violations.
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill mandates the deletion of biometric data and prevents its use by specified immigration officers.
- Scored +7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill directly limits the ability of immigration officers to use facial recognition and biometric data against individuals.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill restricts the tools available to immigration and border enforcement officers, which may impact surveillance capabilities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prohibition of biometric surveillance: Covered immigration officers would be prohibited from acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using biometric surveillance systems or derived information (Section 3(a)).
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Data deletion requirement: All information collected by a covered immigration officer for use in or derived from a biometric surveillance system must be deleted within 30 days of the Act's enactment (Section 3(b)).
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Legal recourse for individuals: An aggrieved individual has the right to institute proceedings against the Federal Government in a court of competent jurisdiction (Section 3(c)(2)(B)).
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Potential for financial compensation: In successful civil actions, courts may award actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (Section 3(c)(2)(D)).
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Enforcement by State officials: State attorneys general or other authorized State officers may bring civil actions on behalf of residents if their interests are threatened or adversely affected by a violation (Section 3(c)(2)(C)).
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Accountability for officers: Covered immigration officers who violate these provisions may face retraining, suspension, termination, or other penalties (Section 3(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on evidence: Information obtained in violation of this section is not admissible by the Federal Government in criminal, civil, administrative, or other investigations or proceedings, unless the proceeding alleges a violation of this section itself (Section 3(c)(1)).
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 directly limits the ability of immigration officers to use facial recognition and biometric data against individuals. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill limits the biometric surveillance tools used primarily during immigration enforcement. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The reduction in surveillance may benefit low-income immigrant communities often subject to higher levels of enforcement.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The act provides strong protections against government biometric surveillance and establishes a private right of action for privacy violations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes legal accountability and a right to sue for government violations of biometric privacy.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates the deletion of biometric data and prevents its use by specified immigration officers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill limits biometric surveillance technologies that are frequently used in disproportionate monitoring of minority communities. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — By limiting biometric surveillance, the bill reduces the digital tracking of immigrants during their presence in the country. Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill restricts the tools available to immigration and border enforcement officers, which may impact surveillance capabilities.
- 2/4/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon