Should we ban immigration arrests, interviews, searches, and surveillance at more locations?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

Sensitive locations are places where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are kept from pursuing arrests, interviews, searches, and surveillance unless dangerous or demanding situations occur. Current locations include schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This bill would expand the list to include additional health care, educational or religious facilities, and other public spaces where the threat of ICE would keep people from seeking services or participating in their community. It would also require the Department of Homeland Security to provide training to officers and report to Congress on any enforcement activity occurring at sensitive locations. Sponsor: Representative Adriano Espaillat [D-NY-13]
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Opponents say

•    ICE’s Communications Director, Virginia Kice said: “Now that many law enforcement agencies no longer honor ICE detainers, these individuals, who often have significant criminal histories, are released onto the street, presenting a potential public safety threat. While ICE does arrest targets at courthouses, generally it’s only after investigating officers have exhausted other options.”  
•      Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly adamantly defended ICE writing: “The arrest of people in a public place based upon probable cause has long been held by the United States Supreme Court as constitutionally permissible.”  

Proponents say

•     Democrat Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, one of the bill’s sponsors argued: “Our communities are better and safer if all residents feel secure when accessing justice, seeking education and health care, or practicing their faith. Recent ICE action targeting immigrants has been aggressive and mean-spirited, and it does not improve the safety of our communities.”  
•     Rep. Jose Serrano insists: "ICE activities at these vital, essential locations create a disincentive for immigrants, even those who are documented, from doing things like accessing basic benefits, reporting crimes, and ensuring their health and well-being."