PAPERS Act of 2026

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to return identification documents to individuals upon their release from custody. It specifies that "covered documents" include passports, permanent resident cards, birth certificates, and driver's licenses. DHS may only retain a document if it is determined to be fraudulent , is contraband or evidence in a pending criminal proceeding , or if the individual is no longer legally entitled to possess it. If a document is retained, DHS must provide a written explanation and a certified copy to the individual, unless legally prohibited. The legislation explicitly prohibits DHS from retaining documents based on operational convenience or anticipated future immigration enforcement actions.