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Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1243| Senate 
| Updated: 4/30/2019
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (11)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding aliens in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and contains other related provisions. The standards shall comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) shall conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and shall take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. DHS shall report to Congress any death of an alien in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death. DHS is prohibited from entering into contracts for third parties to operate detention facilities and shall terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment. The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. DHS shall maintain certain information relating to detained aliens, including the alien's location and whether the alien was separated from family. The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to detaining aliens, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that an alien should be released, and (3) establishing that aliens in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.
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Timeline
Apr 30, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 30, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 20, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2415
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • April 30, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 30, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 20, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2415
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2415: Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCrime victimsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDisability and paralysisEvidence and witnessesFreedom of informationGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresMental healthPublic contracts and procurementRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesWomen's health

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1243| Senate 
| Updated: 4/30/2019
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding aliens in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and contains other related provisions. The standards shall comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) shall conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and shall take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. DHS shall report to Congress any death of an alien in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death. DHS is prohibited from entering into contracts for third parties to operate detention facilities and shall terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment. The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. DHS shall maintain certain information relating to detained aliens, including the alien's location and whether the alien was separated from family. The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to detaining aliens, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that an alien should be released, and (3) establishing that aliens in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 30, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Apr 30, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 20, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-2415
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • April 30, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 30, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 20, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-2415
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (11)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2415: Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCrime victimsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDisability and paralysisEvidence and witnessesFreedom of informationGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsImmigration status and proceduresMental healthPublic contracts and procurementRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesWomen's health