The VOICE Act creates a new civil remedy allowing individuals to sue the United States government if a federal law enforcement officer or someone acting under their direction violates their constitutional rights during immigration-related enforcement actions. This law specifically applies to people within U.S. jurisdiction who claim their rights were deprived while being acted upon by federal officers, regardless of whether the officer was following official policy. If the government is found liable, the specific federal agency that employed the officer must pay monetary damages, and the claimant is guaranteed at least $2 million in punitive damages. Additionally, the bill ensures that these lawsuits cannot be dismissed based on the government's sovereign immunity, while still allowing victims to pursue other legal remedies against individual officers.
The No Illegal Captivity and Extensions Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from issuing or enforcing immigration detainers, which are requests for local law enforcement to hold individuals beyond their scheduled release. This change directly affects federal immigration authorities and local police departments by removing the legal basis for holding people based solely on immigration status. The bill achieves this by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to strike specific detention provisions and adding a general ban on detainers, including those used through agreements with other government agencies. Consequently, local law enforcement agencies would no longer be legally required to detain individuals after their criminal sentences are completed if the federal government requests it.
The HELP Separated Children Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to identify parents of U.S. children during immigration enforcement actions and ensures they can make phone calls to arrange care for their children. It requires officials to notify child welfare agencies only when a parent cannot arrange care for their child or when there is an imminent risk of harm to the child. The bill also mandates that detained parents be allowed regular contact with their children, participate in family court proceedings, and be considered for release if it serves the child's best interests. Additionally, the legislation requires federal employees involved in these actions to receive training on minimizing trauma to children and establishes a system for collecting data on how the law is implemented.
The TRUST Act establishes new hiring standards and operational rules for U.S. immigration enforcement officers to improve professionalism and transparency. It raises the minimum age requirement to 21, mandates comprehensive background checks including social media reviews, and requires specialized training on de-escalation, civil rights, and preventing discrimination. The legislation also mandates that officers wear uniforms and badges only while on duty, carry official identification, and use body-worn cameras during public interactions, with strict penalties for failing to record or tampering with footage. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to release unedited video recordings of incidents involving misconduct or serious injury to the public within a specified timeframe.
The Honor Our Commitment Act of 2026 prevents the government from detaining or deporting specific Vietnamese nationals who entered the United States on or before July 12, 1995, and have lived there continuously. This protection applies to individuals with existing deportation orders, though it does not cover those who pose a security threat or face extradition. The Department of Homeland Security must grant these individuals work authorization and notify them of their rights within 60 days of the law taking effect. Finally, the bill allows people harmed by violations of these rules to seek legal relief in federal court.
The Safe Check-Ins for Immigrants Act (HR 8381) requires the Department of Homeland Security to permit certain non-citizens to complete their mandatory periodic check-ins virtually. This bill directly affects individuals who have been released from immigration detention and are awaiting a decision on their removal from the United States, provided they are required to report regularly to an immigration officer or case manager. It mandates that these required appearances can be satisfied through video teleconference, offering an alternative to in-person reporting.
The "No ICE in Schools Act" proposes to prevent educational agencies and institutions from releasing student records or other personal information for immigration enforcement purposes. It directly affects schools and colleges receiving federal funds, as well as students whose data might be sought by immigration enforcement. The bill amends existing law to prohibit federal funds from being provided to any educational entity that releases such information without specific written consent from the student's parents. This parental consent must detail the records, reasons for release, and recipient, with a copy provided to the parents.
This bill creates a special prosecutor to investigate alleged unlawful actions by Department of Homeland Security officials that occurred on or after January 20, 2025. The special prosecutor would be appointed by a three-judge panel from outside the federal government and would have full authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes, including obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. The bill also establishes protections for the special prosecutor and their staff, limits the Attorney General's ability to remove them without cause, and allows individuals whose rights were allegedly violated to sue for damages without relying on qualified immunity defenses.
This bill, titled the ICE Standards Act, mandates several reforms to how U.S. immigration officers are trained and operate. It requires annual training on use of force, de-escalation tactics, and constitutional rights, along with the use of body-worn and dashboard cameras for all officers. The legislation also requires officers to wear visible identification unless under specific safety exceptions, prohibits enforcement actions in schools, hospitals, places of worship, and polling places except in emergencies, and mandates verification of citizenship before making arrests. Additionally, it establishes a strict prohibition on deporting U.S. citizens and requires notification to local law enforcement agencies before federal immigration operations begin.
This bill, titled the Say No to Warrantless Searches Act, would require federal immigration enforcement officers to obtain a judicial warrant before searching private property. It directly affects law enforcement officers conducting immigration enforcement activities and individuals whose property might be searched. The law allows exceptions for situations where consent is given or when there are urgent circumstances requiring immediate action. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these new protections apply only to enforcement actions taken after the law is enacted, not to past searches.
