This bill would limit the ability of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers to arrest or detain people at immigration court buildings when those people are there to attend or take part in a hearing. DHS could still arrest someone at a court only if there is a judicial warrant or if there is an immediate threat to life, public safety, or national security. The restriction applies to people whose immigration cases are not yet finally decided, including while appeals or motions to reopen or reconsider are pending.
The bill also stops DHS from arresting or detaining people when they arrive for or leave a scheduled DHS appointment or check-in, unless a senior field supervisor signs written authorization stating the legal basis for the arrest. Any such arrest must be reported to the DHS Inspector General within 30 days and included in the annual report described in the bill.
The DHS Inspector General must submit a report to Congress one year after the bill takes effect and every year after that. The report must list attempted and completed arrests covered by the bill, the legal basis for each arrest, the immigration case status of each person arrested, and steps DHS has taken to follow the law.
No publicly available information.
The bill's text and title indicate it is meant to limit DHS arrests tied to court appearances and to create oversight through required reporting by the DHS Inspector General. Sponsors introduced it to restrict enforcement actions at immigration courts and require supervisory approval and reporting for arrests at DHS check-ins.
No publicly available information.