Emergency Responder Protection Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 5603Immigration

Emergency Responder Protection Act

INTRO SEP 26· LAST ACTION SEP 26

READING

11MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

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Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it tries to balance immigration enforcement with public safety and humanitarian concerns. In situations where people need urgent medical attention or help from emergency services, fear of immigration arrest can stop them from seeking that help. This can lead to worse health outcomes for individuals and potentially spread of diseases, if people avoid hospitals.

If this bill becomes law, it would create clearer boundaries for immigration enforcement, aiming to build trust between immigrant communities and emergency responders. This could lead to a more effective public health system where everyone feels safe getting care. If it doesn't pass, the current situation would continue, meaning people might still hesitate to call 911 or go to emergency rooms, which could put themselves and the broader community at risk during health crises or other emergencies.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Creates a 1,000-foot buffer zone around "protected emergency response locations" where immigration enforcement actions are generally prohibited.

Ensures individuals can access emergency services without fear of immigration arrest.

PROVISION 02

Allows enforcement within the buffer zone only under "exigent circumstances" (urgent situations), requiring supervisor consultation and approval if there is uncertainty.

Balances public safety needs with restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive areas.

PROVISION 03

Stipulates that evidence gathered from enforcement actions violating these rules cannot be used in deportation proceedings, and the case may be terminated.

Provides a strong incentive for officers to comply and protects individuals from illegally obtained evidence.

PROVISION 04

Mandates annual training for relevant Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials on the new restrictions and reporting requirements.

Ensures officers are properly informed and trained to follow the new limitations.

PROVISION 05

Requires detailed reports to DHS oversight offices within 30 days of any enforcement action taken near a protected emergency response location, justifying the circumstances.

Increases transparency and accountability for immigration enforcement activities in sensitive zones.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 14

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 14 REP 0 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

SEP 26

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

SEP 26

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 5603

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedSep 26, 2025

Last actionSep 26, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025

House BillHR 5603Immigration

Emergency Responder Protection Act

INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 26, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

11 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Creates a 1,000-foot buffer zone around "protected emergency response locations" where immigration enforcement actions are generally prohibited.

Ensures individuals can access emergency services without fear of immigration arrest.

high

Allows enforcement within the buffer zone only under "exigent circumstances" (urgent situations), requiring supervisor consultation and approval if there is uncertainty.

Balances public safety needs with restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive areas.

med

Stipulates that evidence gathered from enforcement actions violating these rules cannot be used in deportation proceedings, and the case may be terminated.

Provides a strong incentive for officers to comply and protects individuals from illegally obtained evidence.

med

Mandates annual training for relevant Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials on the new restrictions and reporting requirements.

Ensures officers are properly informed and trained to follow the new limitations.

med

Requires detailed reports to DHS oversight offices within 30 days of any enforcement action taken near a protected emergency response location, justifying the circumstances.

Increases transparency and accountability for immigration enforcement activities in sensitive zones.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 30 days after any enforcement action is taken

Secretary of Homeland Security must provide a report to the Office of the Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of DHS for each individual enforcement action taken at a protected emergency response location.

Annually

Each official specified must ensure employees receive annual training in compliance with the requirements of this subsection and other relevant sections.

Each year

The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection must each submit a report on enforcement actions to appropriate committees of Congress.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Enforcement action: Any activity by immigration officers intended to identify, question, arrest, or detain someone based on their immigration status.
Exigent circumstances: Urgent situations that require immediate action, typically to prevent serious harm, escape, or destruction of evidence, and where there is no time to get prior approval.
Removal proceeding: A legal process in immigration court to decide whether a non-citizen should be deported from the United States.
Collateral arrest: When immigration officers arrest someone who was not their original target during an enforcement action.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): A U.S. government department responsible for public security, including border control, customs, and immigration enforcement through agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Immigration and Nationality Act: The main body of U.S. law that governs immigration, citizenship, and naturalization.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

SEP 26, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

SEP 26, 25

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

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Emergency Responder Protection Act

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Emergency Responder Protection Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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