H.R.4638 BOWOW Act of 2025 - Immigration

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The House of Representatives passed H.R.4638, the BOWOW Act of 2025, which establishes that non-U.S. nationals convicted of harming law enforcement animals are inadmissible and deportable. This bill introduces new grounds for inadmissibility and deportation related to animal cruelty offenses.

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What changed

The House of Representatives has passed H.R.4638, the BOWOW Act of 2025. This legislation establishes that any non-U.S. national convicted of, or who admits to committing, an offense related to harming animals used in law enforcement will be considered inadmissible to the United States and subject to deportation.

This new provision creates a specific ground for inadmissibility and removability, impacting individuals with prior convictions or admissions related to animal cruelty against law enforcement animals. Compliance officers in immigration law and related fields should review the specific definitions and scope of 'harming animals used in law enforcement' and the procedural implications for inadmissibility and deportation proceedings.

What to do next

Review H.R.4638 text for specific definitions of 'harming animals used in law enforcement'.
Assess implications for non-U.S. nationals with potential prior convictions or admissions related to such offenses.
Monitor for Senate passage and potential enactment into law.

Penalties

Inadmissibility and deportability for non-U.S. nationals.

Source document (simplified)

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H.R.4638 - BOWOW Act of 2025 119th Congress (2025-2026) |

Bill

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| Sponsor: | Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] (Introduced 07/23/2025) |
| --- | --- |
| Committees: | House - Judiciary |
| Committee Meetings: | 11/18/25 10:00AM |
| Committee Reports: | H. Rept. 119-407 |
| Latest Action: | House - 03/17/2026 Rule H. Res. 1115 passed House. (All Actions) |
| Tracker: Tip | This bill has the status Introduced

Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
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Subject — Policy Area:

Immigration
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Summary: H.R.4638 — 119th Congress (2025-2026) All Information (Except Text)

Listen There is one summary for H.R.4638. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.

Shown Here:

Introduced in House (07/23/2025)

Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act or the BOWOW Act

This bill establishes that a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) convicted of, or who admits to having committed, an offense related to harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable.