HB1655 claims to address human smuggling, but in reality, it is a dangerously vague and overbroad bill that could criminalize everyday activities of Arkansans. Under this legislation, any person who simply drives into the state with an undocumented immigrant in their vehicle — regardless of intent — could face criminal charges. This means that individuals returning from family vacations, school trips, business travel, or other routine activities could be unfairly targeted under this law.
Additionally, the bill’s vague language raises serious concerns about whether it could be used to criminalize religious organizations, humanitarian groups, or even individuals who provide shelter or assistance to undocumented people in their homes. This could have a chilling effect on faith-based and charitable services that assist immigrants, as well as families with mixed immigration status who live together.
Rather than addressing actual human smuggling, HB1655 risks turning Arkansans into criminals simply for being good neighbors, family members, or service providers. The bill violates fundamental civil liberties and could lead to racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and unnecessary legal entanglements for people who have done nothing wrong.
The ACLU of Arkansas strongly opposes HB1655 because it criminalizes compassion, encourages discrimination, and threatens the rights of everyday people.
We urge lawmakers to reject this harmful bill.