Constitution Index · H.Res. 1414 · 2026-07-02
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1589) to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain aliens, and for other purposes.
Latest official status (2026-07-20): Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Ms. Garcia (TX). Petition No: 119-25. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2026072025">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
Constitutional grade
B
Mostly sound
This resolution is a procedural rule for considering a bill that would authorize cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain aliens. The rule itself is within Congress's authority to structure its own proceedings, but the underlying bill raises significant constitutional questions regarding the scope of Congress's enumerated powers over immigration and the potential for arbitrary application. The resolution is mostly sound but requires careful scrutiny of the underlying bill to ensure it does not overstep constitutional limits.
Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 Amendment V
SI-generated grade · passed automated checks (real Constitution citation, language rules) · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology · Report an error: hello@valuesforamerica.com
The five checks
Enumerated powers · passes
Congress has broad authority over immigration and naturalization under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, which grants the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. Additionally, the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) supports Congress's ability to enact laws regarding the removal and adjustment of status of aliens. The resolution itself is a procedural measure under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, which allows each house to determine the rules of its proceedings. Therefore, the resolution is within Congress's enumerated powers.
Bill of Rights · passes
The resolution does not infringe on any of the first ten amendments. It is a procedural rule for considering a bill, and the underlying bill pertains to immigration status, which does not implicate rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause may be relevant to the underlying bill's implementation, but the resolution itself does not violate any constitutional amendment.
Individual liberty · passes
The resolution does not restrict individual sovereignty; it merely sets the terms for debating and voting on a bill. The underlying bill, if enacted, would affect the legal status of certain aliens, but the resolution itself does not impose any restriction on person, property, speech, labor, or belief. The government has a compelling interest in regulating immigration, and the resolution is a necessary step in the legislative process.
Decentralization · passes
The resolution is a federal legislative action, and immigration is inherently a federal matter under the Constitution. The four-question test: (1) An individual or family cannot handle immigration policy without government involvement; (2) A local community cannot handle immigration policy without state involvement; (3) A state cannot handle immigration policy without federal involvement; (4) The action does not consolidate decision-making at a higher level than necessary because immigration is a national concern. Therefore, the resolution passes all four questions.
Due process and takings · passes
The resolution does not bypass due process or take property. It is a procedural rule that allows for consideration of a bill. The underlying bill, if enacted, would need to comply with the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause in its implementation, but the resolution itself does not violate due process or the Takings Clause.
Provenance
- Congress.gov: HRES 1414 summary · fetched 2026-10-14 · official page ↗
Version history · never overwritten
| Grade | Graded | Rubric | Source hash | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B · #987 | 2026-10-14 | vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0 | ff6557a200c5 | current |
Cite this
Values for America. “Constitutional grade: H.Res. 1414, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1589) to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain aliens, and for other purposes..” VFA Constitution Index, grade 987 (rubric vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0), graded October 14, 2026. https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/987. Accessed 2026-10-19.
Permalink: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/987
Data: this grade as JSON · full export. Attribution required.