H.R. 7572

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7572 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7572

To protect the civil rights of individuals against unlawful vigilante 
checkpoints and identity demands, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 13, 2026

Mr. Crenshaw introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To protect the civil rights of individuals against unlawful vigilante 
checkpoints and identity demands, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``No Vigilante Checkpoints and Civil 
Rights Protection Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Fourth Amendment protects the right of individuals 
to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, including 
unlawful vehicle stops and demands for identification.
(2) In recent years, private individuals and organizations 
have engaged in conduct resembling law enforcement activities, 
including vehicle stops, identity checks, and license plate 
surveillance, without lawful authority.
(3) Such conduct undermines public safety, interferes with 
Federal operations, and deprives individuals of rights secured 
by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
(4) Congress has authority under article I, section 8, and 
section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to protect civil rights 
and ensure the unobstructed execution of Federal law.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON FALSE ASSUMPTION OF GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY IN 
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

(a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 709 the following:
``Sec. 709A. False assumption of government authority in law 
enforcement
``(a) Offense.--Whoever, without lawful authority, knowingly--
``(1) stops, detains, or attempts to stop or detain any 
individual or vehicle on a public roadway;
``(2) demands or requests identification;
``(3) demands or requests to search property or persons; or
``(4) uses or operates any device or system to collect, 
access, or analyze license plate or vehicle identification 
data.
For the purpose of enforcing, monitoring, obstructing, or influencing 
Federal law enforcement operations, shall be guilty of an offense under 
this section.
``(b) Penalties.--A violation of this section shall be punishable 
by--
``(1) imprisonment for not more than 5 years;
``(2) a fine under this title; or
``(3) both.
``(c) Aggravated Offense.--If the offense--
``(1) involves the use or display of a firearm or other 
dangerous weapon;
``(2) results in bodily injury; or
``(3) interferes with or targets a Federal officer or 
Federal operation;
the offender shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prohibit lawful protest, speech, or assembly that does not 
involve conduct described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 4. CIVIL ACTION FOR UNLAWFUL CHECKPOINTS AND IDENTITY DEMANDS.

(a) Private Right of Action.--Any person aggrieved by conduct 
prohibited under section 709A of title 18, United States Code, may 
bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court 
against--
(1) any individual who engaged in such conduct;
(2) any organization that directed, financed, coordinated, 
or materially supported such conduct; or
(3) any governmental entity that knowingly permitted, 
authorized, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent such 
conduct on public property under its control.
(b) Relief.--In a civil action under this section, a court may 
award--
(1) statutory damages of not less than $10,000 per 
violation, without regard to proof of actual damages;
(2) compensatory damages;
(3) punitive damages, where appropriate;
(4) injunctive or declaratory relief; and
(5) reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
(c) No Qualified Immunity.--Qualified immunity or any similar 
defense shall not be available to any defendant in an action brought 
under this section.
(d) Statute of Limitations.--An action under this section may be 
brought not later than 5 years after the date on which the violation 
occurred.

SEC. 5. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any 
person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and 
the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances 
shall not be affected.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment.
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