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Bill

LC 2914

Make returning after deportation a state crime

2025 Regular Session

Would criminalize returning to the state after deportation as a new state offense, affecting deported individuals and state authorities, though the measure died in process.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
#crimes
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Bill Summary · LC 2914

Summary of LC 2914 — Make Returning After Deportation a State Crime

Overview

LC 2914 is a state bill titled “Make returning after deportation a state crime.” The bill, classified as a general Crimes measure, appears to create a new state offense penalizing individuals who reenter the state after having been deported. The available information indicates the draft has not progressed and is no longer active, with status updates showing it died in process.

Key dates:
- Introduced: December 12, 2024
- 2024-12-12: Drafter Assigned
- 2025-03-17: Draft On Hold
- 2025-05-27: Draft Died in Process

What the bill would do (as suggested by the title)

  • Establish a new state crime for individuals who return to the state after deportation/removal.
  • Create a criminal offense specifically targeting post-deportation reentry, with enforcement by state authorities (e.g., police, prosecutors, courts).
  • The precise definitions, scope, and penalties are not provided in the summary available.

Key provisions (details not provided in the available text)

  • The text does not include:
    • The exact statutory language defining “reentry after deportation.”
    • The level of offense (e.g., misdemeanor vs. felony) or the penalties.
    • Any exceptions (e.g., lawful reentry under federal law, humanitarian waivers, limitations by jurisdiction).
    • Processes for defense, due process protections, or notification requirements.
    • Enforcement mechanisms and jurisdictional boundaries.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who have been deported or removed and subsequently return to the state.
  • State and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts responsible for enforcing and adjudicating the offense.
  • Potential impact on immigration status considerations, though federal immigration law remains the primary sovereign in this area.

Procedural and timeline context

  • The bill was introduced in December 2024 and assigned a drafter.
  • It was placed on hold in March 2025 and subsequently listed as “Died in Process” by May 2025, indicating it did not advance through committees or toward enactment.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Federal-state interaction: Deportation/removal is primarily governed by federal law; a state crime on post-deportation reentry could raise questions about preemption and consistency with federal immigration policy.
  • Civil rights and due process: Criminalizing reentry after deportation could raise concerns about due process, proportionality, and the treatment of noncitizens.
  • Enforcement and resources: If enacted, the measure could affect policing priorities, caseloads, and prosecutorial discretion at the state level.
  • Policy alternatives: Some jurisdictions consider civil penalties, administrative remedies, or cooperation with federal agencies rather than creating new criminal offenses.

Next steps for readers

  • If you want more detail, request the full enacted language or fiscal notes for LC 2914 to review exact definitions, penalties, and any proposed exemptions.
  • Monitor for any future reintroduction or alternative proposals addressing post-deportation reentry at the state level.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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