Bill would bar and deport non-citizens tied to criminal gangs

What does this do?

HR 175 defines a criminal gang as a group of five or more people whose members regularly commit serious crimes such as drug offenses, gun crimes, human trafficking, identity theft, or violence. The bill would allow the Department of Homeland Security to officially designate specific groups as criminal gangs. Non-citizens who are gang members, have helped a gang, or seek to enter the US to further gang activity could be blocked from entry or removed from the country.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects non-citizens, including legal immigrants, asylum seekers, and undocumented individuals, who have or are believed to have ties to criminal gangs. Immigration officers and the Secretary of Homeland Security would receive broader authority to make gang membership determinations.

Why does it matter?

People in the US who are found to have gang ties would face mandatory detention while their immigration cases are processed. Gang-affiliated non-citizens would be blocked from asylum, temporary protected status, special visas for immigrant youth, and nearly all other forms of immigration relief, with limited exceptions only for those actively cooperating with law enforcement.

Where does it stand?