To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse each State and local first responder agency for the cost of responding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.

Legislative Summary: H.R. 8223

Bill Number: H.R. 8223

Session: 119th Congress

Jurisdiction: United States

Title: To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse each State and local first responder agency for the cost of responding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.

Overview and Purpose

The primary intent of H.R. 8223 is to shift the financial burden of federal immigration enforcement activities from local governments to the federal government. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security reimburse state and local first responder agencies for expenses incurred when they provide assistance or respond to operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Key Provisions

While the bill is in the early stages of the legislative process, the core requirements include:

• Mandatory Reimbursement: The Secretary of Homeland Security is directed to pay back state and local agencies for the costs associated with responding to federal immigration enforcement actions.
• Scope of Coverage: This applies specifically to actions led by ICE and CBP, ensuring that local taxpayers do not subsidize federal immigration mandates.
• Eligible Agencies: The bill targets "first responder agencies," which typically include local police departments, sheriffs' offices, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS).

Who is Affected?

• State and Local Governments: Local municipalities and state agencies would see a reduction in uncompensated expenditures related to federal law enforcement activities.
• First Responder Agencies: Police, fire, and EMS departments would have a mechanism to recoup operational costs (personnel hours, equipment, and resource deployment).
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS would be responsible for the administrative oversight and funding of these reimbursements, likely impacting the department's budget.

Potential Impact

If passed, this legislation would address a long-standing tension between federal immigration priorities and local government budgets. By providing a formal reimbursement mechanism, the bill aims to:
1. Relieve Local Budgetary Strain: Prevent local emergency funds from being depleted by federal operations.
2. Clarify Inter-agency Cooperation: Establish a financial framework for how federal agencies request or utilize local support during enforcement actions.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: April 9, 2026.
• Current Status: The bill has been referred to three primary committees for review:
  • Committee on the Judiciary
  • Committee on Homeland Security
  • Committee on Ways and Means (typically handled for matters concerning federal spending and revenue).

The bill is currently awaiting consideration by these committees to determine the specific legal and financial mechanisms required for implementation.