House bill would raise illegal entry prison terms up to fivefold

What does this do?

HR 3486 increases federal prison sentences for illegal entry and illegal reentry into the United States. The maximum sentence for illegal entry would rise from 2 years to 5 years, and the maximum for illegal reentry would rise from 2 years to 10 years. The bill also adds mandatory minimum sentences, including a 5-year floor for illegal entrants later convicted of a crime carrying more than a year in prison, and a 10-year mandatory minimum for deported individuals who had a felony conviction before removal.

Who does it affect?

The bill directly affects non-citizens who enter the US without legal permission or who return after being deported, particularly those with prior criminal convictions. Federal courts and prosecutors would also be affected, as they would be required to apply the new mandatory minimum sentences in qualifying cases.

Why does it matter?

People who illegally enter and are later convicted of another crime punishable by more than one year would face at least 5 years in prison, with no stated upper limit in that scenario. Someone deported three or more times who re-enters could face up to 15 years, and someone with a prior felony who re-enters could face a mandatory 10 years with no ceiling on the sentence.

Where does it stand?