The SHIELD Act amends federal immigration law to make non-citizens inadmissible to the United States and deportable if they have been convicted of, admitted to, or committed acts constituting trespass as defined under state or local law. The bill specifically targets what it frames as "squatting," or illegal entry and occupation of property, by adding trespass offenses to the list of crimes that can trigger immigration consequences. The legislation applies regardless of whether the trespass is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under federal, state, tribal, or local law. The bill affects non-citizens who may face removal from the country based on trespass convictions or admissions, and it creates a new ground for immigration enforcement action. The bill contains no specific funding or implementation timeline and was introduced in April 2024 but did not advance beyond the House Judiciary Committee.
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