The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act would: ... Require DHS to admit Members of Congress to detention facilities for unannounced inspections.
Require DHS to allow Members of Congress to conduct unannounced inspections of immigration detention facilities.
Occurrences
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Section 546 bars DHS funds from being used to stop a Member of Congress or designated staff from entering DHS facilities used to detain or house aliens for oversight, and says Members cannot be required to give prior notice.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
H.R.6397 was introduced by Rep. Jayapal for herself and Rep. Adam Smith, and Section 13 would require DHS to permit congressional oversight entry at detention facilities without prior notice for Members.
Assessments
The promised outcome was enacted in federal law during Adam Smith's current House term: FY2026 DHS appropriations Section 546 prohibits DHS funds from being used to block Members of Congress from entering DHS immigration detention or housing facilities for oversight and states that Members cannot be required to provide prior notice. Smith also co-sponsored H.R.6397, which contained substantially the same unannounced congressional oversight access requirement, supporting candidate credit even though the appropriations law was the enacted vehicle.