PLATE Act

119th Congress Introduced by Bonnie Watson Coleman and 8 co-sponsors

The bill requires ICE and CBP to display their vehicle license plates visibly on the outside at all times for vehicles used in civil immigration enforcement to receive federal fund

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Summary of HR 7449 (119th Congress) – PLATE Act

Purpose and intent

The bill is titled the Protecting License-Plate Access for Transparency and Enforcement Act (PLATE Act).

Its central aim is to restrict certain federal funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by imposing a display requirement on vehicles used for civil immigration enforcement.

Key provisions and changes

Section 2 sets a limitation on federal funds made available to ICE and CBP for purchasing, leasing, renting, or using privately-owned or government-owned vehicles used in civil immigration enforcement.

The core requirement: any vehicle funded under these provisions must display its license plate on the outside of the vehicle at all times in a manner visible to the public.

The scope covers vehicles used to carry out civil immigration enforcement activities under the immigration laws (as defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act).

Who/what is affected

Agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Vehicles: Both privately-owned and government-owned vehicles used to conduct civil immigration enforcement activities under the immigration laws.

Public visibility: The license plate display requirement is designed to make enforcement vehicles identifiable by the public at all times.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced February 9, 2026, by Rep. Nellie Pou (with co-sponsors listed).

Referrals: Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security; subcommittee referrals include the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement and the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Action history indicates standard committee referral processes; no floor actions or enacted timelines are specified in the text provided.

Potential impact and considerations

Transparency: The bill would increase public visibility of federal civil immigration enforcement vehicles, potentially affecting how these operations are perceived and monitored.

Compliance burden: ICE and CBP would need to ensure all applicable vehicles display plates visibly at all times, which could involve operational adjustments, especially for vehicles that may not have easily visible exterior plate placement.

Enforcement and oversight: The PLATE Act could create a measurable criterion for funding compliance, subject to administrative guidance on acceptable display methods and any exemptions (not detailed in the text provided).

Scope: The bill targets vehicles used in civil immigration enforcement activities; it does not explicitly cover other enforcement modes or personnel.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar transparency measures or draft a one-page briefing for a legislative audience.