HB4638, titled the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025 and also described in context as the Federal Working Animal Protection Act, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make certain noncitizens inadmissible to the United States and deportable if they have been convicted of, or admit to, conduct that constitutes the federal offense of harming animals used in law enforcement. The bill specifically ties the immigration consequence to violations of 18 U.S.C. ยง 1368, which covers harming animals used in law enforcement, such as police dogs and other official working animals.
In practical terms, the bill adds a new ground of inadmissibility and a new ground of deportability to the INA. That means the measure would affect visa applicants, lawful permanent residents, and other noncitizens by creating immigration penalties for this specific animal-cruelty offense, and it would give immigration authorities a statutory basis to deny entry or remove individuals based on such convictions or admissions. The bill does not create the underlying criminal offense; it relies on the existing federal statute and layers immigration consequences on top of it.
Impact
The bill would amend sections 212(a)(2) and 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to add harming animals used in law enforcement as a disqualifying offense for admission and a removable offense for deportation. Its effect is limited to immigration law, but it would expand the list of offenses that can trigger exclusion or removal proceedings and could be used by immigration officials in cases involving convictions or admissions related to attacks on police dogs or other law-enforcement animals.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It advanced through the House with a recorded passage vote of 227 yeas to 189 nays, indicating majority support but not unanimity. The bill was also reported with an amendment, suggesting some committee-level refinement, though no transcript excerpts are available to show detailed debate.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be whether this specific conduct should be treated as an immigration-triggering offense at all, and whether the bill appropriately uses immigration law to punish conduct already covered by federal criminal law. Supporters likely view the measure as a protection for police dogs and other working animals and as a deterrent against attacks on them, while opponents may object to adding another deportability ground and to the broader use of immigration penalties for a narrowly defined offense. The recorded House vote shows meaningful opposition, but no committee transcript is available to identify specific arguments or sponsors of the dissent.
Related
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1958) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that aliens who have been convicted of defrauding the United States Government or the unlawful receipt of public benefits are inadmissible and deportable; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4638) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules.