Summary#
H.R. 8173 makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and adds a package called the "Bipartisan ICE Reform Act of 2026." The bill provides detailed funding amounts for DHS components and creates new rules for immigration enforcement. Key enforcement provisions require body-worn cameras for covered immigration officers during public enforcement actions, visible identification for officers during public enforcement, longer retention in some cases of recorded footage, new training and uniform standards for ICE officers, independent FBI reviews of officer-involved shootings, limits on detention of U.S. citizens, a warrant rule for certain arrests and enforcement at sensitive locations, and expanded protections against doxxing of law enforcement.
What it means for you#
- If you are stopped or encountered during a public immigration enforcement action, the officer should be wearing a body-worn camera and should display identification (name/agency and face) unless an exception applies.
- Video recorded by immigration officers will generally be kept for six months and deleted unless it shows use of force, an arrest, or a complaint; certain people or officers can request a three-year retention for evidentiary or training reasons.
- Immigration officers hired by ICE must complete a required 5-month full-time training program; existing officers who did not complete such training must finish it within one year.
- The bill limits civil immigration enforcement at specified "sensitive locations" (like medical facilities, schools, places of worship, polling places, and private residences) without a warrant except in narrow exigent circumstances.
- The FBI, through its Civil Rights Division, must investigate any case in which an immigration officer discharges a firearm while enforcing immigration laws, and findings go to the U.S. Attorney's Offices.
- States that do not substantially comply with the bill's enforcement-priority coordination may face withholding of some Emergency Management Performance Grant funds, up to specified percentages.
Expenses#
This Act includes many line-item appropriations across DHS. Selected amounts shown in the bill include:
- Office of the Secretary and Executive Management: $316,295,000
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (operations and support): $17,727,974,000
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (operations and support): $10,036,362,000 (plus $5,000,000 for procurement, construction, and improvements)
- Transportation Security Administration (operations and support): $10,635,434,000
- U.S. Coast Guard (operations and support): $11,272,401,000
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund: $26,367,000,000 (to remain available until expended and designated for disaster relief)
- A specific $20,000,000 increase for procurement, deployment, and operations of body-worn cameras for immigration agents (section 109)
The bill contains many additional appropriations, transfers, reporting requirements, and rescissions for DHS programs. For full details, see the appropriation tables and provisions in the Act.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.