Illegal Alien Animal Abuser Removal Act of 2026

H.R. 7544 would amend immigration law to address animal cruelty offenses by noncitizens. Specifically, the bill would make any noncitizen convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting under federal, state, tribal, or local law permanently inadmissible to the United States and subject to deportation. The bill covers convictions under various animal cruelty statutes, including misdemeanor offenses, not just felonies.

If enacted, this legislation would add animal cruelty and animal fighting convictions as grounds for deportation in immigration proceedings. The bill is currently in the House Committee on the Judiciary and has not yet been voted on by the full House. Supporters argue that animal cruelty can be a warning sign for future violence, while critics of similar proposals have noted that many serious crimes already trigger deportation and that expanding these grounds could increase removal risks for immigrants.