Congresswoman Pou Offers Measures to Strengthen Detention Oversight, Protect World Cup

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the top Democrat on Congress's task force overseeing World Cup security, today offered a series of amendments to the Senate-passed immigration reconciliation bill to increase accountability and protect the FIFA World Cup kicking off this week.

Pou's amendments are aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in immigration detention facilities, protecting religious liberty and due process, safeguarding staffing levels at international airports, and preventing civil immigration enforcement activities at World Cup events across the United States.

"The series of amendments I offered today are about basic accountability, and public safety," said Congresswoman Pou. "No family should be left in the dark when a loved one is hospitalized or deported. No detention facility should be shielded from oversight. And as our nation prepares to host the World Cup, we should be welcoming visitors, not creating fear and anxiety that could keep fans away. Every one of my amendments addressed a real problem and offered a practical solution. I urge House Republicans to allow these amendments to come to the floor for a vote in the name of transparency and oversight."

List of Pou Amendments to Homeland Security Funding

• Pou Amendment #1: Ensures that immigrants held in detention can practice their faith and receive reasonable religious accommodations;
• Pou Amendment #2: Requires immigration detention facilities to notify a detainee's family or lawyer within 24 hours if the detainee is transferred out of state, deported, hospitalized, suffers a serious medical emergency, or dies;
• Pou Amendment #3: Prevents cuts to the customs officers and agents who process international travelers at Newark Liberty and other U.S. airports;
• Pou Amendment #4: Prohibits civil immigration enforcement activities at FIFA World Cup matches and related events;
• Pou Amendment #5: Protects the right of governors and other top state officials to inspect immigration detention facilities and conduct oversight;
• Pou Amendment #6: Protects the right of state health departments to inspect immigration detention facilities and ensure detainees are being housed in safe and healthy conditions; and
• Pou Amendment #7: Prevents ICE and CBP from obscuring or removing license plates on vehicles used for civil immigration enforcement

Congresswoman Pou has been a leading voice in Congress on oversight of ICE detention facilities and the treatment of detainees. She has conducted multiple oversight visits of Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark and has repeatedly called for greater transparency, accountability, and access for public health officials.

Pou has pressed Homeland Security officials on conditions at the facility and supported detainees protesting mistreatment. She has introduced legislation to strengthen oversight of immigration detention centers nationwide.

As the Ranking Member and top Democrat on Congress's task force overseeing security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Pou has focused on ensuring the tournament is safe, welcoming, and accessible for fans. She has led oversight efforts related to transportation and security planning for the event, while raising concerns that aggressive immigration enforcement activities could discourage international visitors from attending matches.

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