Bill · S. 2547· Senate(119-S-2547)
Kate's Law
- Introduced
- 7/30/2025
- Last activity
- 7/30/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled "Kate's Law," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for specific actions. It increases the time for certain offenses from 2 years to 5 years. The bill establishes new prison terms for individuals who enter or attempt to enter the United States through non-designated places, elude inspection, or use false representations and are subsequently convicted of a crime. It also increases penalties for individuals who have been previously denied admission, excluded, or removed and subsequently enter or are found in the United States. Certain categories of removed individuals face increased prison terms or mandatory minimums based on prior criminal history.
Yes
Does this tighten control of the border?+6
The bill increases criminal penalties and mandatory minimum sentences for illegal entry and reentry, which serves as a deterrent for border security.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would immigrants be better off under this?-8
The bill significantly increases prison sentences and mandatory minimums for undocumented immigrants and those attempting to reenter the country.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-7
The bill focuses on increasing prison sentences for undocumented individuals rather than providing pathways to legal status.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-6
The bill targets individuals entering or reentering the country, a demographic that includes many Hispanic immigrants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Penalties for Improper Entry: Under Section 2, individuals who enter at a place other than designated by officers, elude inspection, or use false representations and are later convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment, face a prison term of not less than 5 years.
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Increased Penalties for Reentry: Under Section 3, any alien who has been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed and subsequently enters, attempts to enter, or is found in the United States, faces a fine and a prison term of up to 10 years.
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Strict Penalties for Specific Prior Convictions: Under Section 3, an alien who was previously convicted of 3 or more misdemeanors involving drugs or crimes against the person faces a fine and a prison term of up to 15 years upon reentry.
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Mandatory Minimums for Serious Crimes: Under Section 3, an alien who was convicted before removal of an aggravated felony, a felony in any jurisdiction, or a crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment, faces a fine and a mandatory prison term of not less than 10 years.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Imprisonment for Misdemeanor Convictions: Under Section 2, if an individual enters the U.S. via non-designated places or through false representation and is later convicted of a crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment, they face a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years.
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High Penalties for Repeat Entry: Under Section 3, individuals who have been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed 3 or more times face a fine and a prison term of up to 10 years upon reentry.
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Specific Penalties for Certain Removals: Under Section 3, an alien who was removed pursuant to section 235(c) because they were inadmissible under section 212(a)(3)(B) and enters without permission, faces a fine and a 10-year prison term that does not run concurrently with other sentences.
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Mandatory Minimums for Prior Violations: Under Section 3, an alien who was convicted of a violation described in that section at least twice before their removal faces a fine and a mandatory prison term of not less than 10 years.
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 Low Income Households-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+6Improves Pathway To Citizenship-7
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska