This bill requires federal grant applicants to certify they have not violated, and will not violate, laws against smuggling or harboring undocumented immigrants. Agencies must withhold grant funds from grantees found in violation. DOJ must report violators and suspected violators to the Office of Management and Budget.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires federal grant applicants to certify they have not violated, and will not violate, laws against smuggling or harboring undocumented immigrants. Agencies must withhold grant funds from grantees found in violation. DOJ must report violators and suspected violators to the Office of Management and Budget.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Grant Integrity and Border Security Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires an applicant for a federal grant to certify that the applicant has not violated in the last 10 years, is not currently violating, and will not violate during the term of the grant the federal criminal prohibition against bringing into the United States or harboring certain non-U.S. nationals (i.e., <em>aliens</em> under federal law). Upon determination by the granting agency that a grantee is in violation of this bill, the agency must withhold any federal grant funds from the grantee.</p><p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) must report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) individuals convicted of, or who admitted to, such a violation. Additionally, the DOJ must report to OMB if DOJ believes there is a reasonable basis to conclude that an individual has committed such a violation.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires certification of immigration law compliance for grants
Covers violations from past 10 years through grant term
Agencies must withhold funds from violating grantees
DOJ reports convicted and suspected violators to OMB
Applies to harboring or smuggling undocumented immigrants
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Organizations and individuals seeking federal grants would need to certify they have not helped undocumented immigrants illegally. Grantees found in violation would lose federal funding. A reporting system would track violators across federal agencies.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Immigration
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
245, 119th Congress (2025). "Grant Integrity and Border Security Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-245
