Kelly, Gallego Back Legislation to Require DHS to Get Local Approval Before Opening New Detention Facilities

Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego backed the Respect for Local Communities Act, legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to solicit public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before constructing, acquiring or operating any new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility or detention center. The bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify relevant Congressional committees prior to initiating such activities.

"Local community members and officials deserve a seat at the table when the federal government makes decisions that affect them. Our bill makes sure DHS can't blindside communities and force facilities on them like they did in Surprise. Instead, it will require transparency, coordination, and cooperation with people on the ground. We can enforce our laws and secure the border without leaving communities in the dark," said Kelly.

"ICE's plan to turn a warehouse in Surprise into a detention facility without consulting city, county or state officials shows the agency's complete lack of transparency. I fully support securing the border, but that's not what this is. Instead, once again, DHS has chosen Stephen Miller's depraved and dangerous agenda over working with local leaders to protect Arizonans," said Gallego. "This bill would ban DHS from forcing communities to shoulder the burden on public services and infrastructure of a detention center without any say in the decision.

Last month, DHS announced it had acquired and awarded a contract to retrofit a warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, to house and process 1,500 ICE detainees without notifying the City of Surprise or Maricopa County officials. The Surprise facility is part of ICE's broader plan to spend $38.3 billion to drastically expand detention capacity, as deaths in custody reach record levels and local governments and residents remain in the dark about the impacts on public safety, emergency services, and infrastructure.

Last month, Senators Kelly and Gallego wrote to the Trump administration to demand answers on DHS's plans for the Surprise facility and address concerns raised by constituents, including anticipated impacts on local systems and emergency services, compliance with environmental laws and detention standards, total and annual operating costs and funding sources, and how DHS will engage with local officials moving forward.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.