WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and 27 colleagues in the House and Senate in introducing the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, legislation to codify protections for immigrants seeking essential service at locations like hospitals, schools, and courthouses. The legislation would prevent immigration enforcement officers from taking enforcement actions at sensitive locations. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act codifies the Department of Homeland Security’s long-standing policies that have been recently rescinded by President Trump and expands on those policies to ensure that immigrants are able to access education, criminal justice, and social services without fear of deportation.
“Our immigrant communities should not have to live in constant fear of being apprehended by ICE, especially when accessing fundamental services such as health care and education,” said Senator Hirono. “As immigrant families continue to face intimidation and increased fear of deportation, this legislation will establish safeguards to help protect these communities when they are at their most vulnerable.”
The list of “sensitive locations” protected under this legislation includes, but are not limited to: medical treatment facilities and health care facilities of all types; public and private schools, early childhood learning centers, preschools, scholastic activities, and field trips; places of worship; federal and local courthouses; DMVs and social security offices; polling places; labor union halls; and several other locations which provide essential or emergency services to immigrant communities, such as rape crisis centers and homeless shelters.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Blumenthal, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The legislation is endorsed by over 580 organizations, including Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
The full list of organizations who have endorsed this legislation is available here.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
Senator Hirono is a leading champion in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform and continues to advocate on behalf of immigrant communities in Hawaii and across the country. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono introduced the Access to Counsel Act, legislation to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports. Senator Hirono also reintroduced the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, which would prevent future bans by the Trump administration on Muslims or any other religious group by strengthening the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination based on religion. The bill would also require that any suspension of entry into the United States be narrowly tailored, backed by credible evidence, and subject to appropriate consultation with Congress. In January 2025, Senator Hirono and Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reintroduced the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation that would repeal the antiquated Alien Enemies Act (AEA) of 1798, which has been used to target innocent immigrants based on nothing more than national origin, without affording due process rights.
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