The Stop ICE Price Gouging Act caps the prices of goods sold in commissaries at immigration detention facilities, limiting markups to 5 percent for essential items like hygiene products and communication supplies, and 35 percent for nonessential items. The bill prohibits additional service fees, commissions, or revenue-sharing arrangements between contractors and government agencies. If a detainee is overcharged, the agency must provide a refund, or if that is not possible due to transfer or release, the excess funds are deposited into a new Detainee Welfare Fund dedicated to purchasing recreational, educational, and electronic items for detainees. Enforcement involves regular audits by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and quarterly compliance reports submitted to Congress, while allowing states to maintain stricter price limits if they exist.
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 Fairness to Freedom Act of 2026 establishes a new independent Office of Immigration Representation to guarantee government-funded legal counsel for individuals who cannot afford an attorney in immigration proceedings. This right applies broadly to removal, exclusion, and bond hearings, requiring that legal representation be appointed within 24 hours of detention or before any proceeding begins. The bill creates a decentralized system involving local boards and public defender organizations to manage case assignments, while ensuring that appointed attorneys receive compensation comparable to federal prosecutors. Additionally, the legislation mandates minimum funding levels for the new office based on a specific ratio relative to federal immigration enforcement budgets and prevents the use of seeking this legal aid as a factor in "public charge" determinations.
The Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026 aims to protect immigrant families by modifying rules that separate parents from their U.S. citizen children and by expanding relief options for those facing deportation. Key provisions include eliminating certain bars on reentry for individuals who have been removed, allowing parents of U.S. citizens to have their removal reviewed before it is executed, and prohibiting the removal of DACA recipients while their status is active or pending renewal. The bill also establishes new protections for victims of crime and civil rights activists by generally shielding them from removal proceedings unless they pose a specific threat to public safety. To support these changes, the legislation creates new requirements for immigration consultants to clearly disclose their non-attorney status and mandates increased transparency regarding government fees and processing backlogs. Additionally, the act authorizes funding for state and local programs designed to combat immigration fraud and protect consumers from deceptive practices.
The Stop ICE's Medical Neglect Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to create an online system where detained individuals, their lawyers, or family members can confidentially report medical neglect at immigration detention facilities. Under this bill, an independent medical expert would review each complaint to determine if neglect occurred, ensuring necessary treatment is provided if the claim is valid while allowing for an appeal process if it is denied. The legislation also mandates that detainees cannot face retaliation for filing complaints or seeking medical care and must have access to language translation services. Additionally, the law defines specific criteria for what constitutes medical neglect, such as failures in providing timely care, medication management, or specialty referrals.
The PROKID Act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson within the Department of Health and Human Services to protect immigrant children in government custody. This new office would have the authority to conduct regular unannounced site visits, investigate complaints of abuse or neglect, and advocate for the quickest possible release of detained children. To support these efforts, the bill requires the government to share real-time data on child locations and custody details with the ombudsperson while strictly prohibiting the use of this information for immigration enforcement. Additionally, the act creates an expert advisory committee to review facility compliance and mandates that the government publish monthly statistics on the number and length of time children are held in detention.
This bill directs the Small Business Administration to create educational resources for small business owners and employees regarding their rights and responsibilities during immigration enforcement actions. The SBA must develop online modules, a physical card, and planning guides that explain how to respond to searches or arrests, including the constitutional right to remain silent and consult a lawyer. These materials will be made available in English and the 15 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S., with content reviewed by legal experts and government agencies to ensure accuracy.
The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive standards for the treatment, care, and placement of noncitizen children in immigration custody, primarily affecting the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services. Key provisions include a prohibition on separating children from their parents or guardians unless there is clear and convincing evidence of an imminent threat, alongside requirements for rapid family reunification and the elimination of family detention facilities. The bill mandates that children be housed in state-licensed facilities that provide trauma-informed care, adequate medical and educational services, and access to legal representation, while also phasing out large congregate care settings in favor of family-based placements. Furthermore, it creates an independent Office of the Ombudsperson to monitor compliance, investigates age assessments that ban invasive medical procedures, and enforces strict data privacy rules to prevent information from custody cases from being used in immigration removal proceedings.
The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive protections for noncitizen children in immigration custody, primarily affecting families at the border and children placed in government care. The bill mandates that children remain with their parents or family members unless there is clear evidence of an imminent threat to national security or serious harm to the child, while also requiring the federal government to phase out large congregate care facilities in favor of smaller, family-like settings. Key provisions include strict standards for detention and housing conditions, such as 24-hour access to medical care, nutritious food, and recreational activities, alongside the creation of an independent Ombudsperson office to monitor compliance and investigate complaints. Additionally, the legislation ensures that children receive free legal representation, prohibits the use of welfare records in immigration proceedings, and establishes rigorous oversight for any emergency influx facilities used during surges in arrivals.
This bill establishes financial liability for private detention centers and their employees if they cause the wrongful death of a person held there. It allows families of deceased individuals to sue in federal court for at least $5 million in statutory damages plus economic and punitive damages. The law removes the ability of detention staff to use immunity defenses to avoid responsibility and holds the facility itself responsible for the actions of its workers. These rules apply specifically to private companies contracted by the federal government to detain people accused of breaking civil, criminal, or immigration laws.
