H.R. 5026: Accelerated Logistics and Coordination for Arresting, Transporting, and Removing Aliens Zones Act

This bill, known as the Accelerated Logistics and Coordination for Arresting, Transporting, and Removing Aliens Zones Act (ALCATRAZ Act), proposes the establishment of a program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary purpose of this grant program is to reimburse states and local governments for the costs they incur related to the detention of migrants in facilities located within their jurisdictions.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of a Grant Program: The bill creates a program called the "Detention and Logistics Program," which will reimburse states and local governments for the expenses associated with detaining migrants starting from January 20, 2025.
• Application for Reimbursement: States and local governments must submit applications to the DHS Secretary to be eligible for reimbursement. These applications should be submitted according to guidelines established by the Secretary.
• Funding Mechanism: The bill mandates that the DHS Secretary transfer funds from existing unobligated balances within the department to support this new program. Specifically, it allows for the merging of these funds with accounts managed by the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the program's operations.
• Reporting Requirements: Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the DHS Secretary needs to submit a report detailing several elements:
  • A plan for coordinating with states to quickly establish new migrant detention facilities.
  • Identification of federal or state properties suitable for constructing these facilities.
  • Analysis of underutilized funding accounts that could be redirected to support the Detention and Logistics Program.

Implementation Goals

The bill emphasizes the rapid construction of migrant detention facilities to manage the increasing number of migrants. It aims to ensure that states receive financial support for the costs involved in detaining these individuals efficiently. Additionally, it seeks to optimize the use of federal and state resources by identifying properties suitable for detention facilities.

Conclusion

Overall, this bill aims to enhance the capacity of states and local governments to handle migrant detentions through funding support and infrastructure development guided by the Department of Homeland Security.

Relevant Companies

None found.