H.R. 4542 — No Cages in the Everglades Act

This section prohibits the obligation or expenditure of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds, including for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for planning, construction, leasing, operation, staffing, or maintenance of any immigration detention facility located within or adjacent to the Everglades ecosystem (i.e., hydrologically connected wetland areas of southern Florida, including Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, Water Conservation Areas, and adjacent wetlands), and bars contracting with public entities for such purposes. The section further requires any DHS detention facility—whether federally operated or by state or local governments—to allow Members of Congress and designated congressional staff (i.e., employees of a Member's office or official House or Senate committee) announced or unannounced inspections at any time, consistent with security and safety protocols, without waiver, limitation, or prior notice via any agreement. Finally, the section directs the DHS Inspector General to submit to the appropriate congressional committees (i.e., House and Senate Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees) a report within 90 days of enactment, and briefings thereon, covering funding and construction of the specified facility; compliance with federal detention standards (e.g., National Detention Standards 2000, Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2008/2011, NDS 2019, Family Residential Standards 2020, Temporary Housing Standards); detainee complaints; and ecological and safety risks from flooding, hurricanes, or other disasters.