The Oversight Access Act prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from blocking Members of Congress or their staff from entering immigration detention facilities for oversight purposes. The bill also forbids requiring advance notice for these visits and bans any temporary changes to a facility that would alter what visitors observe compared to normal conditions. If the Inspector General determines that the Secretary has significantly failed to follow these rules, they must report the violation to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within 30 days.
The Protect American Values Act prohibits the use of federal funds to implement, administer, or enforce a specific Department of Homeland Security rule regarding the "Public Charge" ground of inadmissibility. This legislation directly affects immigrants and mixed-status families by preventing the government from using public benefits as a factor in determining eligibility for lawful permanent resident status. The bill includes a statement of congressional intent arguing that the targeted rule would restrict access to essential services like food, medical care, and housing, while also negatively impacting state and local economies. By cutting off funding for this specific policy, the act aims to maintain current immigration standards and prevent what Congress describes as an unauthorized reversal of long-standing law.
This bill, titled the No TSA Data for ICE Act, prohibits the Transportation Security Administration from sharing passenger data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It specifically bars these agencies from using TSA information or data from private brokers to perform immigration enforcement functions. Additionally, the legislation prevents the denial, suspension, or early termination of Trusted Traveler programs like PreCheck and Global Entry if an individual's participation in First Amendment-protected activities is the reason. The law defines the restricted data as personally identifiable information about flight passengers obtained from the TSA or private sector entities.
The Right to Learn Act of 2026 creates a grant program to help schools and community organizations support students and staff affected by immigration enforcement actions. Funds awarded by the Department of Education can be used to hire trauma-informed counselors, provide emergency assistance like food and legal referrals, and train educators on culturally responsive care. The bill strictly prohibits schools from collecting or sharing personal data about a student's immigration status and forbids denying services based on that status. Eligible recipients include public schools, early childhood programs, universities, and legal service providers, with a total funding authorization of $250 million over five years.
Orlin's Law requires immigration officials to identify detained parents and prioritize family unity by limiting detention when possible. The bill mandates that parents be allowed to make free calls and visits with their children, participate in family court proceedings, and access necessary documents to care for their dependents. It also establishes a new office within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to coordinate these protections and provides for community-based alternatives to detention. Additionally, the law creates a presumption that parental rights remain intact even if a child is separated from a detained parent and outlines specific steps to facilitate reunification upon removal.
The Careworker Visa Act of 2026 establishes a new visa category for foreign nationals to work as caregivers in private homes or small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, addressing a shortage of childcare, eldercare, and disability support workers. To qualify, employers must be certified by the Department of Labor, pay a prevailing wage determined by local standards, and file a petition that includes proof of financial stability and tax compliance. The visa allows workers to stay for initial three-year periods that can be renewed, includes a 90-day grace period for changing employers, and provides a pathway to permanent residency after meeting specific criteria. The legislation also strengthens protections against wage theft and retaliation by creating a dedicated office to handle complaints and prohibiting employers from using immigration status to control workers.
The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by raising the maximum Pell Grant amount to $15,000 by the 2031-2032 award year and ensuring the program is fully funded through mandatory spending rather than annual appropriations. The bill also expands eligibility for students who receive means-tested government benefits by automatically assigning them a lower financial need score, while simultaneously allowing Dreamer students - undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria such as graduating high school or serving in the military - to qualify for federal aid. Additional provisions restore the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and adjust the rules for satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students who struggle to meet grade requirements. Finally, the legislation restores Pell Grant eligibility for some students who previously received outside scholarships and sets the law's effective date for July 1, 2026.
The LIFT the BAR Act aims to restore access to federal benefits for lawfully present noncitizens by repealing several restrictions imposed by the 1996 welfare reform law and a 2024 reconciliation bill. Specifically, it would allow eligible noncitizens to receive SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and child nutrition programs, while also updating legal terminology to refer to "noncitizens" rather than "aliens" in relevant statutes. The legislation includes provisions to ensure these individuals can qualify for premium tax credits and would require federal agencies to issue implementation guidance within 180 days of enactment.
The Find Our Families Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to create a public online system that allows families to locate individuals detained by Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This system must provide search results within eight hours of detention, display information in multiple languages, and include specific details such as names, dates of birth, and facility locations, while excluding data for minors. The bill also mandates that families be notified within five hours if a detainee is transferred for medical care and establishes new reporting requirements for CBP arrests, including details on the circumstances of the arrest and the number of agents involved. Additionally, the legislation creates a process for families to report errors in detainee information and imposes penalties on employees or contractors who fail to comply with these data-sharing and reporting obligations.
This Senate resolution reaffirms the importance of the United States protecting refugees and displaced persons globally and within the country. It highlights specific statistics on displacement crises and criticizes current administration actions, such as an indefinite suspension of refugee admissions and cuts to foreign aid. The bill calls on government officials to restore the Refugee Admissions Program, lift bans on entry, and provide humanitarian support to vulnerable populations. While it does not change existing laws, it serves as a formal statement of support for refugee rights and urges the executive branch to resume resettlement efforts.
