No Cages in the Everglades Act
Summary
The "No Cages in the Everglades Act" aims to prohibit the operation and funding of any immigration detention facility within or adjacent to the Everglades ecosystem. It also mandates that Members of Congress and their staff have the right to inspect any facility used to detain individuals in DHS custody. The Act further requires the DHS Inspector General to conduct an independent inquiry and submit a report to Congress regarding any such facility.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would prevent the establishment or continuation of immigration detention facilities in the Everglades region. It would also increase congressional oversight of existing detention facilities. The independent report would provide transparency regarding the facility's operations and compliance with federal standards.
Potential Benefits
- Protects the Everglades ecosystem from potential environmental damage caused by detention facility construction and operation.
- Increases transparency and accountability in immigration detention facility operations through congressional oversight and independent reports.
- Ensures that detention facilities meet minimum federal standards for the treatment and housing of detainees.
- Addresses concerns about detention conditions, access to counsel, and treatment of individuals detained at such facilities.
- Mitigates risks to detained individuals, officers, and staff from natural disasters in the Everglades region.
Potential Disadvantages
- May increase costs for the Department of Homeland Security if it needs to find alternative locations for detention facilities.
- Could potentially lead to overcrowding in other detention facilities if no alternative locations are found.
- May face opposition from those who believe that detention facilities are necessary for effective immigration enforcement.
- Could be perceived as limiting the federal government's ability to manage immigration enforcement in the region.
- Potential job losses in the local community if a detention facility is closed or prevented from being built.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's prohibition on funding and operation of detention facilities appears to align with Congress's power of the purse, as outlined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Constitution, which states that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." The provision granting congressional access to detention facilities could be seen as an exercise of Congress's oversight function, which is implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution. The required report from the Inspector General supports transparency and accountability.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).