Respect Our Communities Act

This bill establishes new requirements for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the creation of new immigration processing sites or detention centers. It prohibits DHS from initiating the construction, acquisition, renovation, or operation of any such facility without first engaging in a comprehensive public process. This process begins with a public notice in the Federal Register , open for at least 30 days, detailing the project's scope, due diligence, environmental compliance, and an economic impact analysis. Following the public comment period, the relevant federal agency must consider and respond to significant feedback received. Crucially, the bill mandates a signed, written agreement with both appropriate local government officials, including the mayor or county executive and a majority of the local legislative body, and the Governor of the State where the facility will be located. Finally, the agency must provide at least 30 days' advance notice to key Congressional committees, including a fully executed copy of the agreement, before proceeding with the project.