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.
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.