Preventing Fraudulent ICE Impersonation Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-4652
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2025-07-23
Policy area: Immigration
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4652 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 23, 2025 Mr. Espaillat (for himself and Mr. Correa ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To enhance penalties for the unauthorized use and sale of Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparel and insignia, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preventing Fraudulent ICE Impersonation Act of 2025 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Unauthorized individuals have impersonated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, causing fear and distrust in communities. (2) The unauthorized use of ICE insignia and apparel poses a significant risk to public safety, undermines trust in law enforcement, and facilitates fraudulent activities. (3) Strengthening penalties and restricting the sale of ICE-branded apparel and insignia is necessary to protect communities from fraud and abuse. 3. Prohibition on unauthorized use of ice apparel and insignia (a) Unlawful Impersonation of an ICE Officer (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any individual who is not an officer or employee of the Department of Homeland Security, acting within the scope of their official duties, to wear, display, or possess apparel, badges, insignia, or other items bearing the words ICE or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to impersonate a Federal law enforcement officer. (2) Penalty Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 7 years, or both. (b) Prohibition on Sale of ICE Apparel and Insignia (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any individual or entity to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or distribute any apparel, badge, or insignia bearing the official marks, logos, or designations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without express authorization from the Department of Homeland Security. (2) Civil penalty Any person or entity who violates this subsection shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 per violation. 4. Seizure and forfeiture (a) Seizure and forfeiture Any unauthorized ICE apparel or insignia manufactured, sold, distributed, or possessed in violation of this Act shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture in accordance with chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code. (b) Sentencing enhancement The United States Sentencing Commission shall take such actions as may be necessary to provide that impersonation of an immigration official shall result in an enhancement of any term of imprisonment of no less than 6 months. 5. Public awareness and reporting mechanism (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform communities about the dangers of individuals impersonating ICE officers and provide resources for reporting such activities. (b) The Secretary shall also establish a national reporting mechanism, including a dedicated hotline and online portal, to facilitate the reporting of individuals impersonating ICE officers. (c) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the impersonation of immigration officials and the underlying factors that should be considered for any potential solution to the issue, and submit thereon a report to Congress. 6. Rulemaking The Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue regulations necessary to carry out this Act not later than 180 days after the date of enactment. 7. Definition In this Act— (1) the term ICE means U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and (2) the term official means— (A) a public official, as such term is defined in section 201(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code; and (B) a person who has been selected to be a public official, as such term is defined in section 201(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code.