Bill > HR6537

Introduced Session

To require the release of most aliens detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a national emergency related to a communicable disease. This bill imposes requirements during a communicable disease-related national emergency, such as requiring the release of certain aliens in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Covered aliens, specifically those who have certain health conditions, are at least 50 years old, or are 21 years of age or younger, shall be released from ICE custody without bond during such a national emergency, unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the alien is likely to pose a substantial and specific risk of harming another. DHS shall review the files of any detained individual who is not a covered alien, and such an individual shall be released unless (1) alternatives to detention would not reasonably ensure the individual's appearance at removal proceedings; (2) the individual is likely to pose a substantial and specific risk of harming another; or (3) a final removal order has been entered, appeals have been exhausted, and removal of the alien is reasonably foreseeable. ICE shall not redetain aliens released under this bill solely due to the expiration of the national emergency. During such a national emergency, ICE shall suspend (1) requiring individuals under supervision to report in person; (2) immigration enforcement actions; and (3) warrantless enforcement in certain locations, such as an essential business during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. ICE shall also provide to detained individuals (1) access to no-cost telephonic or video communication, including unmonitored communications with legal providers; and (2) hygiene products.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Pramila Jayapal (D)*,  Nanette Barragán (D),  Earl Blumenauer (D),  Julia Brownley (D),  Tony Cárdenas (D),  André Carson (D),  Judy Chu (D),  Yvette Clarke (D),  Lou Correa (D),  Diana DeGette (D),  Adriano Espaillat (D),  Sylvia Garcia (D),  Chuy García (D),  Debra Haaland (D),  Alcee Hastings (D),  Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),  Hank Johnson (D),  Joseph Kennedy (D),  Barbara Lee (D),  John Lewis (D),  Zoe Lofgren (D),  Alan Lowenthal (D),  Carolyn Maloney (D),  Jim McGovern (D),  Grace Meng (D),  Gwen Moore (D),  Jerry Nadler (D),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D),  Ilhan Omar (D),  Frank Pallone (D),  Mark Pocan (D),  Ayanna Pressley (D),  Mike Quigley (D),  Jamie Raskin (D),  Bobby Rush (D),  Jan Schakowsky (D),  Donna Shalala (D),  Adam Smith (D),  Mark Takano (D),  Rashida Tlaib (D),  Juan Vargas (D),  Nydia Velázquez (D),  Bonnie Watson Coleman (D),  Peter Welch (D), 

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 04/17/2020)

Official Document