Respect Our Communities Act
Sponsored By: Representative Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
In Committee
Summary
Blocks federal construction or operation of new CBP or ICE processing sites and detention centers without public notice, local agreement, and congressional notification. It would require agencies to publish detailed Federal Register notices, secure signed agreements with local officials and the governor, and notify Congress with a 30 day waiting period before proceeding.
Show full summary
- Families and nearby residents get a formal public voice. Agencies must open a Federal Register comment period of at least 30 days and include an economic impact analysis plus engineering reviews covering waste export, water use, and electrical demand.
- State and local governments gain veto power over sites. A signed, written agreement with appropriate local officials and the state governor is required before construction, acquisition, renovation, or operation can move forward.
- Federal agencies face new procedural hurdles and oversight. Department of Homeland Security or any other agency proposing CBP or ICE facilities would have to respond to significant comments, demonstrate compliance with detention and environmental standards, and wait at least 30 days after sending Congress a report that includes the executed agreement.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Local approval for new detention sites
This bill would block DHS or any federal agency from starting a new CBP or ICE processing site or detention center until three steps are done. First, the agency would publish a Federal Register notice open at least 30 days that describes the project, shows due diligence on detention guidance and environmental rules, and includes an economic impact analysis and an engineering review of waste exportation, water use, and electrical demand. Second, after the comment period the agency head would respond to significant comments under the Administrative Procedure Act and sign a written agreement with the Governor and the local leaders who must approve (the mayor or county executive or equivalent and a majority of the local council). Third, the agency would send a report with the fully executed agreement to specified House and Senate committees and wait at least 30 days after filing before proceeding. The bill would apply only to facilities run by or under contract with CBP or ICE that are first used to hold people on or after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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