March 5, 2026
Mr. Rulli (for himself, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Fine) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a criminal penalty for obstructing immigration enforcement activities.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Halo Act
.
Sec. 2. Criminal penalty for obstructing immigration enforcement activities
(a) In general
Chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
1522. Obstructing immigration enforcement activities
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Federal immigration enforcement officer
The term Federal immigration enforcement officer means any officer, agent, or employee of the United States authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of Federal immigration law.
(2) Harass
The term harass means to knowingly engage in a course of conduct directed at a Federal immigration enforcement officer that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that Federal immigration enforcement officer and serves no legitimate purpose.
(b) Offense
It shall be unlawful for a person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from an individual whom the person knows or reasonably should know is a Federal immigration enforcement officer, and who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly violate the warning and approach or remain within 25 feet of the Federal immigration enforcement officer with the intent to—
(1)
impede or interfere with the ability of the Federal immigration enforcement officer to perform that legal duty;
(2)
threaten the Federal immigration enforcement officer with physical harm; or
(3)
harass the Federal immigration enforcement officer.
(c) Penalty
Any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Technical and conforming amendment
The table of sections for chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: