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 · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2057: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. (CD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state funds from being used for federal law enforcement cooperation, limiting budget allocation per bill's prohibition on state resource usage.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement operations, aligning with sanctuary policies that limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrant rights.90% 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

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2540: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits with certain exceptions, the use of facial coverings and requires visible identification by law enforcement officers and their vehicles in the performance of their duties. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish policies regarding state and county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from prolonging a stop to inquire about a person's civil immigration status. Establishes criminal offenses for use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer, lack of visible identification, and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible ID for officers and bans prolonging stops for immigration status, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from prolonging stops to inquire about immigration status, a direct protective measure limiting state involvement in immigration enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

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 both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3322: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes provisions limiting state and federal collaboration for purposes of immigration enforcement operations. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish and publicly post written policies regarding civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from initiating or prolonging a stop, detention, or arrest of a person for the purpose of determining the person's civil immigration status, except under certain circumstances. Prohibits state and county involvement in civil immigration enforcement activity in certain locations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to assist state and county agencies in maintaining compliance with the civil immigration enforcement policy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from prolonging stops to inquire about immigration status, limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

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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 Yes ✗ Opposes Immigration

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 175: 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 Hawaii's county planning and permitting agencies to deny all applications for building, expanding, or using warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. It is based on concerns about the potential for mass incarceration in large facilities, the strain on local resources, and the separation of individuals from their families and legal counsel. The resolution directs copies to planning officials in Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties to encourage them to reject such permit requests. It reflects Hawaii's stated values of dignity and respect for all individuals, regardless of immigration status.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts ICE detention warehouses, limiting federal criminal justice enforcement capabilities and opposing expanded detention infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts ICE detention warehouses, limiting federal immigration enforcement capacity and protecting immigrant rights by opposing mass incarceration and family separation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

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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

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