Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2026

This bill would stop the federal government from detaining or deporting people from Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam who have removal orders, if they entered the United States on or before January 1, 2008, and have lived here continuously since. It would give these people work permits valid for 5 years that can be renewed, and allow them to check in with immigration officers virtually no more than once every 5 years instead of in person. People from these countries who were ordered removed or left the country under voluntary departure since April 24, 1996, could have their cases reopened, their removal orders canceled, and receive government-paid transportation back to the United States. The bill also requires notice to affected people within 60 days and allows lawsuits, including class actions, over violations.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Judy Chu Democrat sponsor
• 38 cosponsors