Bill · H.R. 8154· House(119-HR-8154)
Hold ICE Accountable Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/27/2026
- Last activity
- 3/27/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Haley Stevens
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Hold ICE Accountable Act of 2026" provides for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate alleged unlawful actions by Department of Homeland Security officers or employees occurring on or after January 20, 2025. A three judge panel appoints a prosecutor who must be a lawyer with no current or recent ties to the United States Government. This prosecutor has independent authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes and is largely free from Department of Justice supervision. The bill also allows individuals whose rights were violated by those indicted to seek compensatory, non-economic, and punitive damages in civil court.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would immigrants be better off under this?+8
Specifically targets unlawful actions by DHS/ICE and provides pathways for civil damages for rights violations.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+7
Provides civil recovery and removes qualified immunity for victims of unlawful government conduct.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+6
Directly impacts ICE accountability, which significantly affects the Hispanic community.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
The bill creates a new independent prosecutorial office with no specified budget cap.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
The bill authorizes unlimited sums as necessary for the special prosecutor, potentially increasing government spending.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Authorizing 'such sums as may be necessary' lacks fiscal constraint.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Accountability for Government Officials: The bill allows for the investigation of "any action by any officer or employee of the Department of Homeland Security" that is "alleged to be unlawful" and "deemed credible," which helps hold officials accountable (Section 2(a)).
-
Impartiality in Investigations: The special prosecutor must be a lawyer with a reputation for "integrity and impartial decision-making" and cannot be employed by the U.S. Government or have the U.S. as a client (Section 2(b)).
-
Right to Civil Recovery: Individuals deprived of their constitutional rights or immunities due to the actions of an indicted individual can bring a civil action for "compensatory damages," "non-economic damages for emotional distress and pain and suffering," and "punitive damages" (Section 6(a) and 6(b)).
-
Removal of Qualified Immunity: The bill prevents defendants from using the defense that they acted in "good faith" or that the law was "not clearly established," making it easier for victims to hold individuals liable in court (Section 6(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Burden on Taxpayers: The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the Act, which means there is no specific cap on the amount of public money spent on these investigations (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+8Good For Hispanic Americans+6Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+7Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+6Improves Racial Equity+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-3Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces National Debt-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-2
- 3/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House