DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026

The DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to consult with local officials and community members before building or leasing any immigration detention facility. The bill mandates that the department assess potential impacts on local infrastructure, such as water, power, and roads, while holding public meetings and allowing a 60-day period for public comment. Additionally, it prohibits the construction of new facilities in municipalities that have officially banned them and forbids using military bases or converting non-residential structures like warehouses into detention centers. The legislation also requires coordination with local health authorities to create protocols for treating and containing contagious disease outbreaks within these facilities.