Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
**Summary of S. 5138, the Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026**
This bill would make numerous changes to U.S. immigration law affecting family-based immigration, deportation proceedings, and consumer protections related to immigration services. It would eliminate the current 3-year and 10-year bars on re-entry for certain people who left or were removed from the country, modify the "permanent bar" provision, and create new exceptions and hardship waivers—for example, for minors, asylum applicants, trafficking victims, and people who entered the U.S. as children. It would also narrow penalties for misrepresenting U.S. citizenship, extend eligibility windows for certain long-present immigrants to seek lawful status, limit when past removal orders can be reinstated, expand eligibility for "cancellation of removal" (a form of relief from deportation) for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, and bar removal of people with certain pending visa petitions, applications, or active DACA status. It further addresses fraud by immigration consultants, transparency around fees and processing backlogs, and protections for immigrants who are crime victims, witnesses, or civil rights defenders.
The bill primarily affects noncitizens with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members, people with pending immigration applications, DACA recipients, and immigrants seeking protection from fraud or unauthorized legal assistance. It also directs federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to issue implementing regulations and reports.
The bill was introduced by Senator Cortez Masto on July 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As an introduced bill, it would need committee action, floor votes in the Senate and House, and the President's signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
27 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 5138 do?
- **Summary of S. 5138, the Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026** This bill would make numerous changes to U.S. immigration law affecting family-based immigration, deportation proceedings, and consumer protections related to immigration services. It would eliminate the current 3-year and 10-year bars on re-entry for certain people who left or were removed from the country, modify the "permanent bar" provision, and create new exceptions and hardship waivers—for example, for minors, asylum applicants, trafficking victims, and people who entered the U.S. as children. It would also narrow penalties for misrepresenting U.S. citizenship, extend eligibility windows for certain long-present immigrants to seek lawful status, limit when past removal orders can be reinstated, expand eligibility for "cancellation of removal" (a form of relief from deportation) for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, and bar removal of people with certain pending visa petitions, applications, or active DACA status. It further addresses fraud by immigration consultants, transparency around fees and processing backlogs, and protections for immigrants who are crime victims, witnesses, or civil rights defenders. The bill primarily affects noncitizens with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members, people with pending immigration applications, DACA recipients, and immigrants seeking protection from fraud or unauthorized legal assistance. It also directs federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to issue implementing regulations and reports. The bill was introduced by Senator Cortez Masto on July 27, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As an introduced bill, it would need committee action, floor votes in the Senate and House, and the President's signature to become law.
- Has S. 5138 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5138. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5138?
- S. 5138 was sponsored by Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (D-NV), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5138?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (27 Jul 2026).
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