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Bill would add deportation penalty for harming police animals

Passed one chamberH.R. 4638Latest action

Sponsor: Ken Calvert · Representative · CA

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: Federal Working Animal Protection Act

119th Congress

Topics: Immigration

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

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Non-citizens convicted of or admitting to harming police animals could be denied entry or deported under this bill.

40-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The BOWOW Act adds an immigration penalty for harming official working animals, such as police dogs or horses, on top of the existing federal crime. Non-citizens convicted of, or who admit to, this crime can be denied U.S. entry or deported if already living in the country. This applies to visa applicants, green card holders, and other non-citizens, regardless of immigration status.

Who does it affect?

Affects non-citizens, including green card holders and visa applicants, convicted of or admitting to harming working animals used in law enforcement. Does not affect U.S. citizens, since immigration law does not apply to them.

Why does it matter?

The change means an existing criminal offense would now also carry immigration consequences, adding deportation or inadmissibility risk for affected non-citizens.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJul 23, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · Mar 19, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 96

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    228
    Nay
    190
    0
    14

    Republicans 212 yes, 5 not voting · Democrats 15 yes, 190 no, 9 not voting · Independent 1 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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