Illegal Immigration Cost Recovery Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ted Budd and 3 co-sponsors

The bill would double civil penalties for unauthorized entry, noncompliance with removal orders, and knowingly hiring unauthorized workers.

Introduced in Senate

Summary of Bill S. 4769 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

S. 4769 is a proposed federal statute aimed at increasing penalties related to unauthorized entry or presence of noncitizens in the United States, as well as noncompliance by individuals subject to removal orders and by employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers.

The bill seeks to deter undocumented entry, noncompliance with removal orders, and the hiring of unauthorized workers by imposing higher civil penalties.

Key provisions and changes

Double civil penalties for unauthorized entry or attempts to enter: The bill would double the civil penalties assessed against aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States without authorization.

Penalties for noncompliant individuals subject to removal orders: Aliens who have a final order of removal and fail or refuse to depart from the United States would face increased civil penalties.

Penalties for employers hiring unauthorized workers: Employers who knowingly hire aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States would be subject to higher civil penalties.

The bill specifies an emphasis on civil penalty enforcement rather than criminal penalties, though it does not preclude other enforcement mechanisms that may exist under current law.

Who and what is affected

Aliens entering or attempting to enter without authorization: Directly subjected to higher civil penalties under the bill.

Aliens with a final removal order who do not depart: Affected through increased civil penalties for noncompliance.

Employers: Businesses and other entities that knowingly hire workers who are not authorized to work in the United States would face enhanced civil penalties.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and referred: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary on June 11, 2026.

Sponsor activity: The bill has co-sponsors including Senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, and Tim Sheehy.

As of the provided action history, there is no indication of passage or further committee markup beyond referral; the next steps would typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Judiciary Committee, followed by floor consideration.

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, the bill would raise financial consequences for individuals and employers in situations involving unauthorized entry, noncompliance with removal orders, and hiring of unauthorized workers.

The focus on civil penalties means potential cost increasing compliance risk for employers and could affect enforcement patterns at immigration control points and workplaces.

Stakeholders potentially affected include asylum seekers and other noncitizens at or near the border, immigration enforcement agencies, employers across industries, and civil rights or labor groups concerned with due-process and labor market effects.

Notes

The summary reflects the bill’s stated objectives to double civil penalties in the specified areas and the action history up to the stated date.

Specific statutory language, exact penalty amounts, enforcement procedures, exceptions, and definitions would be found in the bill text and any accompanying committee reports.