PAPERS Act of 2026: Mandatory return of ID documents after release from custody
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to return personal identification documents to individuals when they are released from custody. It ensures people regain access to their passports and birth certificates to manage their daily lives.
Key points
Mandatory return of passports, green cards, and driver's licenses upon release from custody.
Documents can only be retained if they are fraudulent, evidence in a crime, or illegally possessed.
If a document is kept, the agency must provide a written explanation and a certified copy.
Operational convenience is not a valid reason to keep an individual's identification documents.
Status:
Introduced
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