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119-hr-6397119th Congress

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act

Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

In Committee

Summary

Dignified detention: strict standards and a phase-out of for-profit immigration detention. This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to adopt detention standards matching the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards and to move detention facilities into nonprofit or DHS ownership within 3 years.

Show full summary
  • Families and children: Unaccompanied children must be transferred to Health and Human Services custody. Detention of vulnerable people and primary caregivers is barred unless DHS shows placement in community supervision is impracticable.
  • People in custody: Initial custody decisions must occur within 48 hours and a custody hearing within 72 hours. Bond must be no greater than necessary and detention solely for inability to pay is prohibited. Solitary confinement is banned and every detainee must receive legal orientation and confidential access to counsel.
  • Facilities, contractors, and transparency: The DHS inspector general must perform unannounced inspections at least annually. First serious noncompliance that threatens health can trigger a meaningful fine of at least 10 percent of contract value. DHS must post a monthly facilities matrix and an online detainee locator updated within 12 hours, give Congress 180 days notice before construction, and end for-profit and jail contracts within 3 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Cut detention, boost community care

If enacted, DHS could not detain anyone under 18 in ICE-run or ICE-contracted facilities. The bill would bar detention of defined 'vulnerable persons' and 'primary caregivers' unless DHS shows community-based supervision is unreasonable or impracticable. DHS would set up a community case-management program outside ICE that provides housing, health, legal, and transport help, cannot use ankle monitors, and cannot charge people fees. The bill would also end for-profit contracts: new for-profit contracts would be barred on enactment, existing for-profit contracts must end within 3 years, and after 3 years facilities must be run by the Department or nonprofits; DHS must publish a plan within 60 days.

Faster custody hearings and bond rules

If enacted, DHS would have to make a written custody decision within 48 hours after taking someone into custody. The person would get a hearing to challenge that decision within 72 hours, with de novo custody reviews within 30 days and then every 60 days. Judges would start from a presumption of release; DHS would have to rebut that by clear and convincing evidence. Judges would consider ability to pay when setting bond and could not keep someone detained only because they cannot pay. Warrantless arrests would require a probable-cause hearing within 48 hours, and interrogations based on race, religion, language, or other protected characteristics would be banned.

More oversight, inspections, and reporting

If enacted, the DHS Inspector General would do unannounced in-person inspections of each detention facility at least once a year and post reports publicly within 60 days. A first IG finding that a facility failed in a way that threatens health, safety, or due process would trigger a fine of at least 10 percent of the contract for non-Department facilities and mandatory remedial steps for Department-owned facilities, with a follow-up inspection within 180 days. Repeated failures within two years would require transfers, contract termination or suspension and no further use until the IG certifies compliance. The bill would also require fast, public reporting and investigation after any death in DHS custody and let Members of Congress and designated staff enter facilities for oversight; DHS must also give 180 days' public notice before building or expanding a facility.

Stronger detention standards and legal access

If enacted, DHS would have to issue detention rules within 1 year based on the ABA Civil Immigration Detention Standards and update them at least every two years. Every detained person would get a nonprofit-run legal orientation as soon as practicable and no later than their first immigration-judge hearing. People with counsel would be able to meet privately in person, by phone, or by video, and detained people harmed by standard violations could sue in federal court for injunctive relief and damages. Each detention facility would also need an indoor, climate-controlled visitor waiting and security screening area.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

    MS • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]

    PR • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/4/2025

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

  • Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

  • Rep. Blair, Everton [D-GA-13]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 9/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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