Vote No on HR 1927, the CLEAR Act of 2025

I urge you to vote no on HR 1927, the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2025. This legislation represents a dangerous expansion of immigration enforcement that will harm communities, violate civil liberties, and fail to address the underlying need for comprehensive immigration reform. The CLEAR Act deputizes local police to investigate and detain individuals suspected of immigration violations during routine duties. This fundamentally changes the relationship between law enforcement and immigrant communities, making people afraid to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or seek help during emergencies. Public safety depends on trust between police and the communities they serve, and this bill destroys that foundation. Section 4 punishes states and cities with sanctuary policies by threatening federal funding one year after passage. Section 5 and 6 mandate extensive data sharing through the National Crime Information Center, creating a surveillance system that includes people unaware of removal orders or with limited information on file. Section 8 requires construction of 20 new detention facilities, and Section 9 mandates 48-hour custody transfers that will separate detainees from families and legal representation. These provisions create a system focused on rapid removal rather than due process or individual circumstances. The broad immunity protections in Section 11 shield officers from accountability, increasing the risk of profiling and civil rights violations at the local level. For 70 years, Congress has failed to work together on smart, comprehensive immigration policy that treats all immigrants equally. This nation was built by immigrants on indigenous land, and it can only continue to thrive through inclusive policies that recognize our shared humanity. The CLEAR Act moves us backward toward enforcement-only approaches rooted in fear rather than forward toward the equitable system we need. I ask you to oppose HR 1927 and instead support comprehensive immigration reform that upholds civil liberties, keeps families together, and strengthens our communities.