Respect Our Communities Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8984
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-22: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
Last Updated: 2026-06-10T08:08:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Respect Our Communities Act (H.R. 8984)

Purpose

This legislation aims to restrict the Department of Homeland Security and related federal agencies from building, buying, updating, or running new facilities for holding people in immigration processes unless specific steps for public input, local agreements, and congressional notice are followed.

Key Provisions

Definitions:
"Appropriate local government officials" include the top elected leader (such as a mayor or county executive) and a majority of the local legislative body (like a city council) in the area where a new facility would be located.
"New processing site or detention center" refers to any facility used by Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement to temporarily hold individuals during immigration removal processes, starting from the bill's enactment date.
Requirements before action:
The agency must publish a notice in the Federal Register open for at least 30 days of public comments, detailing the project scope, compliance with federal standards and environmental rules, and including an economic impact analysis plus an engineering review on waste, water, and power needs.
After the comment period, the agency must review and respond to major comments, then obtain a signed written agreement from local officials and the state governor authorizing the project.
The agency must send a full report, including the signed agreement, to relevant Senate and House committees, and wait at least 30 days before proceeding.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new mandatory procedures for federal agencies involved in immigration facilities, including public notice and comment periods, required local and state approvals, and advance reporting to Congress. These steps are not currently required under prior law for such activities.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: Agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement would face added planning, documentation, and approval steps, potentially delaying new facility projects.
On citizens: Local residents gain a formal opportunity to comment on proposed facilities, with agencies required to address significant input.
On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal agencies handling immigration detention and processing.
State governors and local elected officials in areas considered for new sites.
Members of Congress and relevant committees.
Members of the public in affected communities.
Contractors or operators involved in facility development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill adds layers of federal agency oversight and local consent requirements, which could affect how immigration enforcement facilities are sited. It emphasizes transparency through public notices and reports but does not alter core constitutional authorities related to immigration enforcement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

Recent Actions

2026-05-22: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-05-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-05-21: Introduced in House
2026-05-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Respect Our Communities Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (5 pages)