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H.R. 1061: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to restrict immigration enforcement actions near certain sensitive locations. Here's what the bill proposes:

Definition of Sensitive Locations

Under the bill, a "sensitive location" includes all areas within 1,000 feet of various facilities, such as:

Medical or mental healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals, clinics)
Schools and educational institutions (including preschools, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges)
Child care facilities and recreational places for children (e.g., playgrounds)
Places of worship and religious events
Locations where emergency response services are provided (e.g., shelters, distribution sites)
Court houses and places where legal services are provided
Polling places and public libraries

Restrictions on Enforcement Actions

The bill restricts officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), from performing enforcement actions at or near sensitive locations unless:

There are "exigent circumstances," such as immediate threats to physical safety or national security.
Any enforcement action initiated under exigent circumstances must stop if those circumstances no longer exist.

Conduct During Enforcement Actions

When enforcement actions occur near sensitive locations, officials are required to:

Act as discreetly as possible.
Limit the duration of their presence at the sensitive location.
Only target individuals for whom prior approval was obtained.

Reporting and Accountability

If enforcement actions violate the bill's provisions, the results cannot be used in removal proceedings. Additionally, the bill mandates:

Annual training for relevant DHS employees on the new restrictions.
Reports to Congress detailing enforcement actions undertaken at sensitive locations, including justifications for those actions.

Implementation Timeline

The changes introduced by this bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment, and the Secretary of Homeland Security must establish relevant regulations within this timeframe.