Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025: What It Means for U.S. Immigration Enforcement

Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025: What It Means for U.S. Immigration Enforcement

VisaLex Blog – June 2025

The Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025 (H.R. 57) marks a major shift in U.S. immigration enforcement, aiming to tighten control over the release of noncitizens after apprehension. Introduced in the 119th Congress, this bill revises long-standing procedures by which certain immigrants are released into the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending.

Here’s a breakdown of the bill and what it could mean for immigrants, attorneys, and advocates.

Key Changes Proposed by the Act
Under current law, noncitizens encountered at or near the border may be released into the U.S. under various programs—including humanitarian parole or “alternatives to detention”—while they await their immigration court hearings.

The Ending Catch and Release Act would largely eliminate those release options by mandating detention for most noncitizens who are:

  • Unlawfully present in the U.S.
  • Seeking asylum at a port of entry or after crossing the border between ports
  • Placed in expedited removal or removal proceedings

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be required to detain these individuals until their cases are resolved—unless they qualify for one of the limited exceptions.

Limited Use of Parole
The bill narrows DHS’s authority to grant parole, a discretionary tool often used for humanitarian or urgent public interest reasons. Going forward, parole could only be granted on a case-by-case basis, and only if DHS determines there are “urgent humanitarian reasons” or “significant public benefit.”

The bill also requires written justifications for every parole decision, and parole would no longer be used as a general mechanism to manage processing capacity or detention limits.

Detention Until Case Resolution
In most cases, individuals affected by the bill would remain in detention until:

  • Their asylum or immigration case is decided, OR
  • They are removed from the U.S.

This approach significantly increases the role of immigration detention in the overall enforcement system. It would likely require an expansion of detention facilities and could result in longer detention times for asylum seekers and other migrants awaiting decisions.

Impact on Asylum Seekers and Immigration Courts
The bill raises serious concerns about access to due process. Asylum seekers and others detained under the proposed law may have limited access to legal representation while in detention—an issue that could affect their ability to prepare their cases and navigate complex immigration laws.

Increased detention could also add pressure to already overwhelmed immigration courts, potentially creating longer case backlogs and further delays in adjudication.

What Immigrants and Advocates Should Know
Although the bill has not yet become law, its introduction signals continued interest in stricter immigration enforcement policies. If passed, it would mark a return to more detention-based strategies at the border and significantly reduce the federal government’s discretion to release individuals into the community.

Anyone currently in the immigration process, or considering asylum or other forms of relief, should:

  • Stay informed on the bill’s progress
  • Seek legal guidance to understand how potential changes could affect their case
  • Prepare documentation and evidence as early as possible

Stay Prepared with VisaLex
Immigration law continues to evolve quickly—and the stakes are high. VisaLex is committed to helping immigrants and families understand their rights and prepare for every legal challenge. Contact us today for personalized legal support and up-to-date information.