Senate Democrats on Thursday unveiled legislation to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from carrying out arrests at sensitive locations, such as churches, schools and hospitals.
The proposal appears to face long odds, with both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives controlled by Republicans.
Since 2011, federal policy prevented ICE arrests at sensitive locations, without approval, and in 2021, the Biden administration issued its own guidance to further expand those sensitive areas.
But President Donald Trump has issued several executive orders, many of which are connected to his pledge to launch a massive immigration crackdown, including one that revoked policies preventing ICE officers from making arrests at sensitive areas.
“The Trump administration’s efforts to upend these policies not only goes against long standing precedent, but also threatens public safety,” U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, said in a statement announcing his support for the new legislation.
The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, backed by 22 Democrats or Independents but no Republicans, would codify in federal law protections against immigration arrests at sensitive locations. It would also ensure immigrants have access to essential services typically offered at the sensitive locations without fear of deportation.
“Arresting people in the security of their school, hospital, or church is cruel, inhumane, and unjust. If people are too scared to go to the doctor when they are sick, that puts our community at risk of illness,” Wyden said. “If people are too scared to report crimes to law enforcement, or go to a rape crisis center, that makes our community less safe. These raids are intended to instill fear and will do nothing to improve our broken immigration system.”
Other areas that would be protected under the legislation include medical facilities, preschools, courthouses, homeless shelters, DMV and social security offices; polling places; and labor union halls.
Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland in January said it would continue to offer sanctuary to immigrants who fear deportation despite changes in policy from the Trump administration.
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