Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 182.
Introduced:Oct 27, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Gary C. Peters
Senator
Democratic
MI
Cosponsors
6
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Immigration
Summary
The Schools Not Shelters Act would deny federal funding to schools that provide emergency shelter or housing to certain non-U.S. nationals, with some exceptions for short-term disaster relief. The bill aims to limit the use of school facilities to house non-citizens.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Schools Not Shelters Act would deny federal funding to schools that provide emergency shelter or housing to certain non-U.S. nationals, with some exceptions for short-term disaster relief. The bill aims to limit the use of school facilities to house non-citizens.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Schools Not Shelters Act</strong></p><p>This bill denies federal funds to schools providing emergency shelter or housing to certain non-U.S. nationals (<em>aliens </em>under federal law), subject to exceptions.</p><p>Under the bill, primary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education are ineligible for federal funds if they provide emergency shelter or housing exclusively to non-U.S. nationals under the order of state, local, or federal government. The bill excepts short-term (72 hours or less) emergency shelter made necessary by qualifying disasters. </p><p>Federal funds denied by the bill include grants, loans, loan guarantees, and property, but not certain reimbursements for services rendered.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Schools, including K-12 and colleges, would lose federal funding if they provide emergency shelter or housing to non-U.S. nationals (also called 'aliens') on the orders of state, local, or federal government.
The bill includes an exception for short-term (72 hours or less) emergency shelter made necessary by qualifying disasters.
Denied federal funds include grants, loans, loan guarantees, and property, but not reimbursements for certain services rendered.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If this bill becomes law, schools that currently use their facilities to provide emergency housing to non-citizens would lose significant federal funding. This could force them to stop offering this type of shelter, potentially leaving vulnerable populations without access to safe housing in times of crisis.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Immigration
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
2983, 119th Congress (2025). "Extending Expired Cybersecurity Authorities Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2983
