Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1839: RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal immigration authorities pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to federal immigration authorities' access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires law enforcement to notify detained immigrants of rights before ICE interviews and mandates public records for ICE access, limiting federal cooperation and protecting due process.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3238: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

SB 3238 establishes a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii to train professionals in providing language services. It appropriates state funds to support this program, which directly affects communities with limited English proficiency and government agencies needing interpreters or translators. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated training initiative at UH to build a skilled workforce for language access services. This bill focuses on concrete policy changes by funding workforce development rather than altering existing services or regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for UH language access workforce training program, directly funding higher education workforce development to improve educational access for limited English proficiency communities.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds language access training for limited English proficiency communities, enhancing immigrant access to services and integration.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce development program training language access professionals, directly supporting employment standards in language services sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1838: RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U or T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U or T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes uniform statewide U/T visa certification processes for immigrant crime victims, aligning with federal law to facilitate access to protections and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1163: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends requirements to commercial driver's license qualification standards to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a non-domiciled commercial learner's permit and non‑domiciled commercial driver's license for applicants who are unable to provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows non-domiciled CDLs for immigrants without citizenship proof, enabling access to driver's license services per federal compliance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends commercial driver licensing to meet federal safety regulations (FMCSA), enhancing transportation safety standards under Department of Transportation oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 1840: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires HTSB to extend the five-year period in the case of a declared state of emergency. Requires the Department of Education to provide support to assist emergency hires in meeting the requirements of licensure and require the training be mandatory for emergency hires in their fourth and fifth years. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for international educators via J-1 visas, facilitating teacher staffing and access to diverse educators in Hawaii schools.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates pathway for J-1 educators, facilitating immigration integration for international teachers via visa-aligned permits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 185: URGING ALL COUNTY PLANNING AND PERMITTING AGENCIES TO DENY ALL PERMIT APPLICATIONS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, OR USE OF WAREHOUSES BY UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETAINING INDIVIDUALS FACING DEPORTATION.

This bill urges county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny all permit applications for the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. The resolution directs these agencies to refuse permits specifically for facilities intended to house large numbers of people in warehouse settings, citing concerns about mass incarceration and local resource strain. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies to county-level planning departments across Hawaii's major islands. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks local officials to exercise their permitting authority to block such facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts ICE detention facilities, limiting federal criminal justice enforcement capabilities and opposing mass incarceration practices.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts ICE detention facilities by denying permits, limiting federal immigration enforcement capacity at state level95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 7, 2026

HCR 183: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP, ADOPT, AND IMPLEMENT A STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN GOVERNING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AT OR WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AT CERTAIN SCHOOL-RELATED LOCATIONS AND EVENTS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized emergency response plan for immigration enforcement activities occurring within 1,000 feet of public schools or at school-related events. The plan would provide clear guidance to school staff on how to handle encounters with federal immigration officers while prioritizing student safety and minimizing disruption to learning. Key provisions include protocols for enforcement presence, student protection measures, communication with parents, staff training, and coordination with state agencies. The resolution also mandates periodic reviews of the plan to ensure it remains current with changing laws and best practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates emergency response plan to protect students and minimize disruption to learning during immigration enforcement near schools, directly supporting educational environment and student safety.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates emergency response plans to protect students from immigration enforcement near schools, prioritizing student safety and limiting disruption to learning.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 173: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP, ADOPT, AND IMPLEMENT A STANDARDIZED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN GOVERNING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AT OR WITHIN ONE THOUSAND FEET OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AT CERTAIN SCHOOL-RELATED LOCATIONS AND EVENTS.

This House Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to create a standardized emergency response plan for immigration enforcement activities near public schools. The plan would apply to incidents occurring within one thousand feet of school campuses, at school-sponsored events, and on school buses during student transport. Key provisions include establishing clear protocols for handling federal immigration officers on or near school grounds, protecting student safety and emotional well-being, and ensuring consistent communication with parents and staff. The resolution also requires the department to include staff training, coordination with state agencies, and periodic updates to the plan to reflect changes in law or best practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student safety and well-being by establishing emergency protocols for immigration enforcement near schools, directly supporting educational environment.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates emergency response plan to protect students from immigration enforcement near schools, limiting federal enforcement presence and prioritizing student safety and well-being.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1849: RELATING TO LICENSING.

Removes the barrier that requires applicants for professional or vocational licensing to be United States citizens, United States nationals, or persons with work visas. Allows an applicant to provide the applicant's individual tax identification number with a sworn affidavit in lieu of social security numbers when the applicant does not have a social security number. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship/work visa barrier for professional licensing, allowing non-citizens to use ITINs, advancing immigrant workforce integration and access to services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2445: RELATING TO STUDENT SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to develop, adopt, and implement a standardized emergency response plan governing immigration enforcement activity at or within one thousand feet of public schools and adopt policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement activity at certain school-related location and events. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires Department of Education to create safety plan protecting schools from immigration enforcement disruptions, aligning with educational safety protections.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires emergency plan for immigration enforcement near schools, protecting student safety and limiting disruption to immigrant families during federal actions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

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