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Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1186| Senate 
| Updated: 4/15/2021
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (6)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021 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 or alternatives to detention programs 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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-1243
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019
Apr 15, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 15, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2222
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1243
    Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019


  • April 15, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 15, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2222
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2222: Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021
Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild healthChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsHealth information and medical recordsImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudicial procedure and administrationRacial and ethnic relationsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSpecialized courts

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1186| Senate 
| Updated: 4/15/2021
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021 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 or alternatives to detention programs 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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-1243
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019
Apr 15, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 15, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2222
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1243
    Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2019


  • April 15, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 15, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2222
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (6)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2222: Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild healthChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsHealth information and medical recordsImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudicial procedure and administrationRacial and ethnic relationsSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSpecialized courts