H.R. 7470: Keep ICE Out of Washington County, Maryland Act

This bill, known as the "Keep ICE Out of Washington County, Maryland Act," aims to prevent the establishment or operation of immigration detention or holding facilities by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), within Washington County, Maryland. Here are the key points of the bill:

Findings

The bill outlines several findings regarding immigration detention facilities, stating that:

• These facilities have significant and lasting impacts on nearby communities related to public health, housing, infrastructure, and local services.
• ICE has detained many individuals, both citizens and noncitizens, without adherence to due process, compromising constitutional rights.
• Conditions within ICE facilities are criticized as inhumane, not aligning with American values.
• Individuals in these facilities often lack access to necessary medical care, legal representation, and family visits.
• Community planning and development are primarily local issues, and federal actions should consider local voices and priorities.
• Residents and officials in Washington County have raised significant concerns about the potential siting of a federal immigration detention facility in their community.
• Congress holds the authority to regulate federal funding and facility usage.

Prohibition on Detention Facilities

This section specifies the prohibition on detention or holding facilities in Washington County:

• No covered agency is allowed to:
• Establish a detention or holding facility in Washington County.
• Operate, expand, or reopen any detention or holding facility in the county.
• Funds allocated to any covered agency cannot be used for these purposes.

Enforcement

The enforcement mechanism in the bill allows specific parties to seek judicial review:

• Residents of Washington County, the county government, congressional representatives, or the State of Maryland can file a lawsuit in federal court to enforce the provisions of the bill.
• The court is authorized to provide relief through declaratory and injunctive measures, including orders to stop any actions that violate the bill.

Definitions

For clarity, the bill defines terms related to its provisions:

• Covered agency: Refers to the Department of Homeland Security and its components, like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Detention or holding facility: Describes facilities primarily used for civil detention of noncitizens, whether operated directly by the federal government or through contracts and agreements.

Relevant Companies

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