Freedom for Families Act
Summary
Freedom for Families Act This bill prohibits using federal funds for facilities used to detain noncitizen families and addresses related issues. Specifically, no funds made available may be used to operate or construct a family detention center, whether operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or a contractor. This prohibition shall also apply to funds made available before this bill's enactment. Funds obligated to operate such centers must instead be used for implementing and developing nondetention programs that are community-based and consistent with international best practices. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may place an apprehended noncitizen family into such a nondetention program if DHS makes an individualized determination that doing so will facilitate the family's compliance with immigration laws. The programs must provide to participants a legal orientation and meaningful access to counsel.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2021
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Apr 29, 2021
Last action Apr 29, 2021
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 29, 2021
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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