1/2 US Protest Law Tracker - Updates to #Federal #Protest Laws introduced in 2025.
Latest updates: Jun. 10, 2025 (US Federal)
Providing for deportation of non-citizens who commit protest-related offenses
Would cancel the visa of any individual convicted of protest-related crimes and provide for the individualâs deportation within 60 days. Under the bill, individuals convicted of any âcrime (i) related to [their] conduct at and during the course of a protest; (ii) involving the defacement, vandalism, or destruction of Federal property; or (iii) involving the intentional obstruction of any highway, road, bridge, or tunnelâ would be deportable. The bill requires that such individualsâ visas be âimmediatelyâ cancelled and the individuals removed from the US within 60 days. If enacted, a non-citizen convicted of even a nonviolent misdemeanor ârelated toâ a protest, such as trespass or disorderly conduct, could face deportation. The billâs sponsor cited protests around immigration raids in #LosAngeles as the impetus for his bill.
(Full text of Bill: https://www.cotton.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/61025novisasforviolentcriminalsactreintro.pdf)
Status: pending
Introduced 10 Jun 2025.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
Heightened penalties for "#riot" offenses
Would amend the federal #AntiRioting law to raise the maximum penalty to ten years in prison, instead of five, for participating in or inciting a âriot,â or aiding or abetting someone to do so. The federal definition of âriotâ is broad, requiring only a âpublic disturbanceâ where one individual in a group commits violence. Under the bill, someone who committed or abetted an âact of violenceâ during the commission of a âriotâ offense would face a minimum one-year sentence, while an individual who assaulted a law enforcement officer would face a sentence of at least one year and up to life in prison. Federal law defines âact of violenceâ broadly to include using force against #propertyâor just attempting or threatening to use such force. As such, if enacted, the bill could result in steep criminal penalties for protesters who do not actually engage in violence or destructive conduct. The billâs sponsor cited protests around immigration raids in Los Angeles as the impetus for his bill.
Status: pending
Introduced 10 Jun 2025.
Issue(s): Riot
HR 2272: Blocking #FinancialAid to students who commit a "riot"-related offense
Would bar federal financial assistance and loan forgiveness for any student convicted of a crime in connection with a âriot.â The bar would apply to students convicted of âriotingâ or âa) inciting a riot; b) organizing, promoting, encouraging, participating in, or carrying on a riot; c) committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot; or d) aiding or abetting any person in inciting or participating in or carrying on a riot or committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot.â Many states define âriotâ broadly enough to cover peaceful protest activity; many also have broad laws criminalizing âincitement to riotâ that cover protected expression. The bill would bar financial aid and #LoanForgiveness for students convicted under such provisions. As written, the bill would also bar financial aid and loan forgiveness to students convicted of any offense related to â#organizing, #promoting, encouragingâ a riot, or âaiding and abettingâ incitement or participation in a riot, which could cover an even wider range of expressive conduct, from sharing a social media post to cheering on demonstrators in a protest that was deemed a âriot.â
(Full text of bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2272)
Status: pending
Introduced 21 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): #CampusProtests, Riot, Limit on #PublicBenefits
#HR2273: Providing for visa revocation and deportation of #noncitizens who commit a "riot"-related offense
Would require the Secretary of State to revoke the visa of and make deportable a noncitizen #student, #scholar, #teacher, or #specialist convicted of a crime in connection with a âriot.â Under the bill, individuals in the US on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa would have their visas revoked and would be deportable if they were convicted of âriotingâ or âa) inciting a riot; b) organizing, promoting, encouraging, participating in, or carrying on a riot; c) committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot; or d) aiding or abetting any person in inciting or participating in or carrying on a riot or committing any act of violence in furtherance of a riot.â Many states define âriotâ broadly enough to cover peaceful protest activity; many also have broad laws criminalizing âincitement to riotâ that cover protected expression. The bill would provide for the deportation of foreign students, scholars, and others convicted under such provisions. As written, the bill would also provide for their deportation if convicted of any offense related to âorganizing, promoting, encouragingâ a riot, or âaiding and abettingâ incitement or participation in a riot, which could cover an even wider range of expressive conduct, from sharing a #SocialMediaPost to cheering on #demonstrators in a protest that was deemed a âriot.â
(Full text of bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2273)
Status: pending
Introduced 21 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Campus Protests, Riot
#S1017: New federal criminal penalties for protests near #pipelines
Would create a new federal #felony offense that could apply to protests of planned or operational pipelines. The bill would broadly criminalize under federal law âknowingly and willfullyâ â#vandalizing, tampering with, disrupting the operation or construction of, or preventing the operation or construction ofâ a gas pipeline. A range of peaceful activities could be deemed âdisrupting⊠the construction ofâ a pipeline, from a rally that obstructs a road used by construction equipment, to a #lawsuit challenging a pipelineâs #permit or# zoning approval. The bill does not define âdisrupt,â such that even a brief delay would seemingly be covered. Further, the underlying law provides that any "attempt" or "conspiracy" to commit the offense would be punished the same as actual commission. As such, individuals as well as organizations that engage in the planning or facilitation of a protest that is deemed to âdisruptâ pipeline construction could be covered. The offense would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for an organization.
(Full text of bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1017)
Status: pending
Introduced 13 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Protest Supporters or Funders, #Infrastructure
#ProtestLaws #protestors #protestors_in_prison #CivilLiberties #Fascism #USA #USPol #NoKings #Project2025 #TrumpIsAFascist