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Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

USA119th CongressS-455| Senate 
| Updated: 2/6/2025
Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (31)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" aims to amend section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, establishing new limitations on immigration enforcement actions conducted by Department of Homeland Security officers and agents. Its core purpose is to ensure individuals can access sensitive locations without fear of immigration enforcement, thereby promoting public trust and safety. The bill generally prohibits enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location, or actions focused on such a location, unless specific exigent circumstances are present. When exigent circumstances permit an enforcement action, officers must conduct themselves as discreetly as possible, limit their time at the location, and focus only on the approved target. If uncertainty arises regarding exigent circumstances, officers must cease action and consult with a supervisor in real-time before proceeding. Exceptions to these restrictions include transporting an apprehended individual for medical care or rare, premeditated arrests of terrorist suspects or individuals posing an extraordinary danger to public safety, which require prior written approval from an appropriate authorizing official. Violations of these provisions carry significant consequences, including the inadmissibility of evidence from the unlawful enforcement action in removal proceedings, and the ability for the affected alien to seek immediate termination of such proceedings. The bill mandates annual training for relevant DHS employees on these requirements and establishes robust reporting mechanisms. Individual incident reports on sensitive location enforcement actions must be submitted to the DHS Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, detailing circumstances and outcomes. Furthermore, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection must submit annual reports to Congress detailing all enforcement actions covered by this subsection. The DHS Inspector General is also required to submit an annual report to Congress on complaints related to sensitive location enforcement actions. The bill broadly defines "sensitive locations" to include a wide array of sites such as medical facilities schools places of worship disaster relief sites child care facilities courthouses Social Security offices polling places , and more, with the amendment taking effect 90 days after enactment, alongside required rulemaking by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2097
Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Feb 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1061
Introduced in House
Feb 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2097
    Protecting Sensitive Locations Act


  • February 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1061
    Introduced in House


  • February 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1061: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

USA119th CongressS-455| Senate 
| Updated: 2/6/2025
The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" aims to amend section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, establishing new limitations on immigration enforcement actions conducted by Department of Homeland Security officers and agents. Its core purpose is to ensure individuals can access sensitive locations without fear of immigration enforcement, thereby promoting public trust and safety. The bill generally prohibits enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location, or actions focused on such a location, unless specific exigent circumstances are present. When exigent circumstances permit an enforcement action, officers must conduct themselves as discreetly as possible, limit their time at the location, and focus only on the approved target. If uncertainty arises regarding exigent circumstances, officers must cease action and consult with a supervisor in real-time before proceeding. Exceptions to these restrictions include transporting an apprehended individual for medical care or rare, premeditated arrests of terrorist suspects or individuals posing an extraordinary danger to public safety, which require prior written approval from an appropriate authorizing official. Violations of these provisions carry significant consequences, including the inadmissibility of evidence from the unlawful enforcement action in removal proceedings, and the ability for the affected alien to seek immediate termination of such proceedings. The bill mandates annual training for relevant DHS employees on these requirements and establishes robust reporting mechanisms. Individual incident reports on sensitive location enforcement actions must be submitted to the DHS Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, detailing circumstances and outcomes. Furthermore, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection must submit annual reports to Congress detailing all enforcement actions covered by this subsection. The DHS Inspector General is also required to submit an annual report to Congress on complaints related to sensitive location enforcement actions. The bill broadly defines "sensitive locations" to include a wide array of sites such as medical facilities schools places of worship disaster relief sites child care facilities courthouses Social Security offices polling places , and more, with the amendment taking effect 90 days after enactment, alongside required rulemaking by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2097
Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Feb 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-1061
Introduced in House
Feb 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2097
    Protecting Sensitive Locations Act


  • February 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-1061
    Introduced in House


  • February 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (31)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1061: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted