This bill, titled the Deport the Terrorists Act of 2026, aims to remove from the United States any naturalized citizen convicted of specific terrorism-related crimes. It directly affects individuals who have already become U.S. citizens by automatically revoking their citizenship and declaring their naturalization certificates void upon conviction of offenses such as using weapons of mass destruction or providing material support to terrorists. The law also designates these individuals as deportable aliens and requires the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize their removal from the country. By amending existing immigration laws, the bill ensures that courts have the authority to cancel citizenship immediately following a conviction for these designated offenses.
The Respect Our Communities Act restricts the Department of Homeland Security from building or operating new immigration detention centers without first obtaining written permission from local elected officials and state governors. Before any construction begins, federal agencies must publish a detailed public notice inviting at least 30 days of community feedback and submit a report to Congress that includes an economic impact analysis and an engineering review of resource usage. This legislation directly affects the federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement and the local governments where new facilities might be located by mandating a collaborative approval process.
This joint resolution seeks to officially reject a specific rule issued by the Executive Office for Immigration Review that governs appellate procedures at the Board of Immigration Appeals. By invoking a statutory mechanism known as a "congressional disapproval resolution," the bill aims to prevent the new rule from taking effect or having any legal force. If passed, it would directly impact immigration judges and attorneys who rely on the Board's appellate processes by nullifying the Executive Office's proposed changes. The measure represents a legislative check on executive agency authority rather than creating new immigration policies itself.
This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to limit the use of short-term holding facilities to a maximum of 12 hours for detainees, unless specific exceptional circumstances like medical emergencies or natural disasters occur. To enforce this rule, the Department of Homeland Security must ensure facilities remain safe and provide meals every six hours, along with constant access to water and appropriate food for vulnerable individuals such as minors and pregnant women. The legislation also mandates that officials document any instances where a detainee is held longer than 12 hours and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of such cases, their duration, and the reasons given for the extended custody. Additionally, the Department's Inspector General will conduct periodic audits to verify compliance with these new standards.
The Detention Authority Clarification Act amends immigration laws to change the term 'alien seeking admission' to 'applicant for admission' in specific sections. It also updates the list of individuals subject to mandatory detention by adding a new category for applicants seeking entry. These changes aim to clarify the terminology and scope of who can be detained under current immigration statutes.
The 287(g) Expansion Act allows states and local law enforcement agencies that have partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to receive additional federal funding. Specifically, eligible jurisdictions can apply for up to a 10 percent increase in their annual Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant if they maintain an active 287(g) agreement. The legislation authorizes $20 million per year from 2027 to 2033 to support these increased allocations, which are intended to enhance immigration enforcement efforts within participating communities.
The OPEN Act establishes new oversight and accountability measures for immigration enforcement by granting Members of Congress unrestricted, unannounced access to all immigration detention facilities and requiring the Department of Homeland Security to publicly report incidents involving excessive force or misconduct. It mandates specific rights for detained individuals, including timely notification of family members, guaranteed access to legal counsel and medical care within set timeframes, and strict regulations on transfers and transportation conditions. The legislation also restricts the use of administrative warrants for entering private residences, requires judicial warrants for most arrests and detentions, and imposes financial penalties on contractors who fail to meet federal detention standards. Additionally, the bill reconstitutes the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department and requires rigorous independent inspections before any new detention centers can begin operations.
The RECOUP Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to pay local first responders for their time and resources when they assist federal immigration agents. Under this bill, agencies that help enforce immigration laws can submit detailed requests for reimbursement, which must include information about the number of officers involved, the duration of the response, and their pay rates. The law also mandates that the government protect the personal details of these responders and prohibits releasing that information without a court order. Funding for these payments would come from existing budgets allocated to immigration enforcement agencies, allowing the money to be used until January 2029.
The COOL IT Act requires immigration officers to complete an annual, scenario-based training curriculum focused on skills like de-escalation, community relations, and officer safety. This mandatory training, which must be developed by the Department of Homeland Security within 90 days, applies to federal immigration officers and state officers participating in federal immigration enforcement programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that all immigration officers finish at least 67 days of training before they can begin enforcing immigration laws. The legislation also directs the Department of Homeland Security to consult with law enforcement and community groups while submitting a report to Congress on the training's benefits and implementation challenges within 180 days.
The DHS Release Transparency Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to inform a designated contact person when a detained individual is released from Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, provided the person was held for more than 12 hours. Under this bill, individuals in custody can choose to name a contact and provide their information, with the government obligated to attempt notification at least twice. The law also mandates that translation services be available in the detainee's preferred language for both selecting a contact and receiving release notifications. Additionally, the act specifies that any information gathered under this process cannot be used for law enforcement purposes.