Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Plain Language Summary
# Protecting Sensitive Locations Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act would prevent immigration enforcement actions (such as arrests or detentions) within 1,000 feet of certain public spaces, with limited exceptions. The restricted locations include schools, hospitals, churches, courthouses, child care facilities, shelters, and polling places. Enforcement actions could only proceed in these areas in emergencies where there's imminent risk of death or serious physical harm. The restrictions would apply to both federal Department of Homeland Security agents and state employees involved in immigration enforcement. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill would primarily affect immigrants and undocumented individuals, as well as the immigration enforcement agencies that carry out removals and detentions.
If an enforcement action violates these restrictions, the evidence gathered couldn't be used in removal proceedings. The bill aims to protect sensitive locations where vulnerable populations gather while still allowing enforcement in genuine emergencies. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee as of the 119th Congress, meaning it hasn't yet advanced for a full vote in either chamber. It was introduced by Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY).
CRS Official Summary
Protecting Sensitive Locations ActThis bill prohibits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location except in exigent circumstances, such as the imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm to any person.Sensitive locations include health care facilities;schools and school bus stops;places that provide assistance for people such as children, pregnant women, and abuse victims;child care facilities;places that provide disaster or emergency services;places of worship;courthouses and lawyers’ offices;facilities used as polling places;certain labor union facilities; andpublic assistance offices.The prohibition shall apply to Department of Homeland Security officers and agents, as well as state employees pursuing immigration enforcement actions.If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this prohibition (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected individual may move to immediately terminate such a proceeding.U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall annually report to Congress about enforcement actions taken at sensitive locations in the preceding year.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.