Congressman Nick LaLota has expressed support for the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025, which he recently voted to pass. The bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide Congress with monthly reports on foreign nationals attempting illegal entry into the United States who pose an elevated security threat.
“Americans deserve to know who is coming into our country—especially when national security is at stake,” said Rep. LaLota. “As a native New Yorker who was on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy during 9/11, I know that border security is about far more than immigration—it’s about public safety. This bill ensures Congress has the data it needs to hold agencies accountable, craft smarter policy, and protect our communities. The safety of Long Island families will always come first.”
The proposed legislation requires DHS to detail encounters with non-U.S. nationals identified as “special interest aliens.” These individuals are flagged due to travel patterns or national security concerns. Reports will include data on the number of encounters, countries of origin or last residence, and specific locations where these encounters occur.
Once enacted, DHS must start reporting from the first full month after the law takes effect and provide retrospective data from January 20, 2021, through January 19, 2025. The goal is to enhance transparency regarding national security-related immigration enforcement amid claims that DHS has previously withheld or inconsistently shared this information.
Supporters believe that regular disclosure will strengthen congressional oversight and improve public accountability concerning special interest alien encounters. Recent findings have shown an increase in such encounters from nations including China, Iran, and Russia. Notably, apprehensions of Chinese nationals rose significantly from around 350 in FY2021 to nearly 38,000 in FY2024.
The Congressional Budget Office projects that implementing this reporting requirement will cost less than $500,000 over five years.
