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119-hr-355119th Congress

Justice for Jocelyn Act

Sponsored By: Representative Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Introduced

Summary

Tight limits on release into Alternatives to Detention and mandatory GPS monitoring for non-detained immigrants. The Justice for Jocelyn Act would restrict when people can be placed in Alternatives to Detention, require continuous electronic monitoring and a nightly curfew, and allow removal in absentia for failure to follow release rules.

Show full summary
  • Families and households: People on ICE's nondetained docket would be enrolled in ATD and face continuous GPS monitoring during their immigration cases and until removal. They would also have a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Noncitizens in proceedings: Release into ATD would be barred unless three conditions are met: all detention beds are filled, no detention option is available, and the Secretary has exhausted reasonable efforts to detain. This raises the threshold for being released from detention.
  • Immigration enforcement and courts: An immigration officer's affidavit that an individual failed to follow release conditions would trigger an in absentia removal order under the amended provision to 8 U.S.C. 1229a(b)(5).

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Detention first and stricter tracking for noncitizens

If enacted, ICE would only release people into Alternatives to Detention if all beds are full, no other options exist, and the Secretary has tried and exhausted reasonable efforts to detain. Everyone on ICE’s non‑detained docket would have to join ATD with continuous GPS monitoring during all cases and appeals, and, if ordered removed, until removal. They would also have a nightly curfew at their approved home from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. If an officer files an affidavit that someone broke a release condition, an immigration judge would order removal in absentia.

If one part is struck, rest stays

If enacted, a severability clause would keep the rest of the Act in place if a court strikes one part or its application. The clause text also includes the token "<all>".

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2025

  • Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2025

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/31/2025

  • Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 4/14/2025

  • Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 5/20/2025

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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