S.1993 - Reimbursements for Immigration Partnerships with Police to allow Local Enforcement Act of 2025; RIPPLE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The RIPPLE Act of 2025 (S.1993) proposes to amend Section 287(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It aims to allow the Attorney General to reimburse states and local political subdivisions for the costs of wages, including overtime, for state employees performing immigration functions under agreements with the federal government. This bill seeks to formalize and potentially expand financial support for state and local law enforcement agencies that participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The bill's primary focus is to provide financial assistance to states and localities that cooperate with federal immigration authorities. This would be achieved by reimbursing wage and overtime costs for state employees engaged in immigration-related activities.
The intended outcome is to incentivize and support partnerships between federal and state/local law enforcement in the enforcement of immigration laws.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the RIPPLE Act would likely lead to increased participation of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. This could result in more individuals being identified and processed for immigration violations.
It could also lead to increased costs for the federal government due to the reimbursements. The impact on communities could vary depending on the extent of local enforcement activities.
Furthermore, the bill could affect the relationship between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially leading to distrust or fear.
Potential Benefits
- Increased cooperation between federal and state/local law enforcement in immigration enforcement.
- Potential for more effective identification and processing of individuals in violation of immigration laws.
- Financial relief for states and localities that participate in immigration enforcement.
- Enhanced border security through increased enforcement efforts.
- May deter illegal immigration due to increased risk of apprehension.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on federal budget due to reimbursement costs.
- Risk of increased racial profiling and discrimination by state and local law enforcement.
- Possible erosion of trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
- Diversion of state and local resources from other public safety priorities.
- Legal challenges based on constitutional concerns related to immigration enforcement.
Constitutional Alignment
The RIPPLE Act's constitutional alignment is complex. Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 grants Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. The Act does not directly infringe upon this power, but its implementation could raise concerns about equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment if applied in a discriminatory manner.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but immigration is generally considered a federal responsibility. The Act seeks to incentivize state cooperation, which could be seen as a permissible exercise of federal power.
However, concerns could arise if the reimbursements lead to state enforcement practices that violate individual rights, such as due process or protection against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).