Legis Daily

Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9803| House 
| Updated: 7/21/2026
Bill Foster

Bill Foster

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (18)
Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill introduces new criminal offenses targeting individuals who knowingly or recklessly engage in schemes to provide fraudulent immigration services, imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. It specifically addresses those who falsely represent themselves as attorneys or accredited representatives , increasing the maximum imprisonment to 15 years and requiring full reimbursement to victims. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General develop regulations to identify preparers of immigration documents and authorizes civil injunctions against fraudulent immigration service providers. To protect victims of fraud, the bill allows aliens to withdraw and resubmit immigration applications without prejudice if they were prepared fraudulently, and it waives certain reentry bars for individuals who departed the U.S. based on fraudulent advice. It also directs the Attorney General to implement regulations for immigration judges' contempt authority. The legislation mandates outreach programs to educate immigrant communities about authorized legal service providers and establishes a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to offer direct legal assistance to aliens in removal proceedings and those completing applications.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2430
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6222
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5797
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023
Jul 21, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 21, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2430
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6222
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5797
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023


  • July 21, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 21, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9803| House 
| Updated: 7/21/2026
The bill introduces new criminal offenses targeting individuals who knowingly or recklessly engage in schemes to provide fraudulent immigration services, imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. It specifically addresses those who falsely represent themselves as attorneys or accredited representatives , increasing the maximum imprisonment to 15 years and requiring full reimbursement to victims. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General develop regulations to identify preparers of immigration documents and authorizes civil injunctions against fraudulent immigration service providers. To protect victims of fraud, the bill allows aliens to withdraw and resubmit immigration applications without prejudice if they were prepared fraudulently, and it waives certain reentry bars for individuals who departed the U.S. based on fraudulent advice. It also directs the Attorney General to implement regulations for immigration judges' contempt authority. The legislation mandates outreach programs to educate immigrant communities about authorized legal service providers and establishes a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to offer direct legal assistance to aliens in removal proceedings and those completing applications.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2430
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6222
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5797
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023
Jul 21, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 21, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2430
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6222
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5797
    Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023


  • July 21, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 21, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill Foster

Bill Foster

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (18)
Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted