Overview
- Rep. Pramila Jayapal reintroduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act on Dec. 3 with 123 Democratic co-sponsors, with reporting that a Senate version is being filed.
- The bill would repeal mandatory detention and create a presumption of release for low-risk and vulnerable people, including pregnant individuals, LGBTQ people, primary caregivers, those over 60, and people with serious illnesses or disabilities.
- It would prohibit detention of families and children and phase out private for‑profit immigration detention facilities over three years.
- The proposal mandates DHS civil detention standards, requires unannounced inspections by the Inspector General, and guarantees congressional access for unannounced facility visits.
- ICE reports about 65,000 people in custody, while DHS and outside analysts dispute how many have criminal convictions, and conservative outlets cite unnamed ICE sources warning the bill could be exploited, leaving its prospects uncertain in a Republican-led House.