No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes requirements under new subsection 236(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for immigration detention centers to facilitate detained aliens' access to congressional constituent services (i.e., assistance from Members of Congress on immigration cases). Specifically, it (1) requires centers, within 90 days of enactment, to provide detainees access upon written request to ICE Form 60-001 (Privacy Waiver Authorizing Disclosure to a Third Party) or a Congressional Privacy Release Form in the detainee's language; (2) mandates providing the ICE National Detainee Handbook and facility handbook within 24 hours of a detainee's arrival, in the detainee's language or with professional interpretation, including a section on congressional services, law library access to forms, and complaint processes; (3) directs electronic notice to the relevant congressional office within 7 days of a detainee's request, including a copy of the Privacy Release; (4) requires detainee access to computers, email, printing, copying, writing implements, and paper for ongoing communication with congressional offices or third-party case assistants; and (5) authorizes detainees or third parties to file complaints or civil actions in U.S. district court for failures to provide forms within 30 days or other violations, with interpreter access for complaints. (Thus, "congressional office" means the office for the detainee's last known U.S. residence district or a requesting third party's residence.) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment and notify all detention centers of the rules and complaint process within 270 days; the amendment takes effect 90 days after enactment.