Immigration

The Federal Public & Community Defenders submitted to the Sentencing Commission our comments and supplemental comments regarding the Commission's proposed January 2026 Amendments

In May 2025, the Federal Defenders' Legislative Committee sent a letter to Congress' House Judiciary Committee in opposition to H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. H.R. 3486 would impose new, unprecedented mandatory minimum sentences on individuals whose criminal conduct includes the mere act of coming to the United States to make a better life for their families.

In response to the Sentencing Commission's call for proposals on potential priorities, Federal Public and Community Defenders submitted the attached letter calling for reforms: recalibrating guideline ranges downward; revising the relevant-conduct guideline so it does not sweep in dismissed and uncharged conduct; and substantially narrowing the reach of the career-offender guideline.