A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification Act (OPEN Act) aims to improve immigration enforcement transparency, civil rights, and accountability. It grants Members of Congress unrestricted access to immigration detention facilities without advance notice. The bill establishes public reporting requirements for incidents involving excessive force, unauthorized conduct, and wrongful detention. It sets strict requirements for detainee rights, including timely family notification, phone calls, and medical care. The legislation also regulates facility transfers and places restrictions on converting existing buildings into detention centers. Finally, the bill requires judicially enforceable warrants issued by a judge for arrests and detentions, with specific limits on administrative warrants.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +6
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Significantly enhances rights, medical care, family notification, transparency, and due process protections for detained immigrants.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Significantly enhances transparency by requiring public reporting on enforcement incidents and granting Members of Congress unannounced access to facilities.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Mandates judicially enforceable warrants for arrests and detentions and provides legal remedies in removal proceedings for violations.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this tighten control of the border?
Imposes additional procedural hurdles and warrant requirements on immigration enforcement actions.
- Scored -1
Would business owners be better off under this?
Imposes stricter operational standards and potential contractual requirements on facility operators.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Members of Congress are given unrestricted access, without advance notice, to all immigration detention facilities operated by the Department of Homeland Security under Section 3(a)(1). This provision allows elected officials to directly observe conditions of confinement and compliance with federal laws, helping hold officials accountable.
- Detained individuals are guaranteed access to at least one phone call and notification of their immediate family within five hours of detention under Section 4(b)(1) and Section 4(b)(2). This ensures detainees can quickly let their loved ones know where they are.
- Detainees are provided timely medical and mental health services, including emergency care and chronic condition management, under Section 4(c)(1). Additionally, Section 4(c)(4) allows family members or legal representatives to drop off valid prescription medications and necessary medical devices, such as CPAP machines and glucose monitors, for a detainee's use after security and medical review.
- Section 4(d)(4) establishes minimum transportation protections, requiring seatbelts, regular bathroom breaks at least once every two hours, and access to adequate temperature control, food, drinking water, and necessary medications during transport. This directly safeguards the physical well-being of individuals being moved between facilities.
- Under Section 6(a), immigration enforcement officers and agents may not arrest or detain an individual without a judicially enforceable warrant issued by a magistrate judge or an Article III judge. This protects individuals from arbitrary arrests by requiring judicial review.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3(a)(5)(A) mandates administrative or contractual disciplinary action for officers, employees, or contractors who knowingly delay, restrict, or deny access to a facility to Members of Congress. While intended for accountability, this could create a heavy administrative burden and potential operational friction for facility staff managing visitor access logs and schedules.
- Section 5(b)(6)(B) requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that each new immigration detention center adheres to all applicable state health and safety standards unless they conflict with federal law. This could potentially slow down the establishment of necessary facilities or create complex legal disputes between state and federal authorities over building codes and operational rules.
- Section 6(b)(2) provides an exception allowing administrative warrants to authorize entry into a private residence or dwelling if an individual is determined to be a flight risk or a danger to the public. For individuals categorized under this exception, this provision permits forced or coercive entry without a judicial warrant, which could impact privacy protections in private homes.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — Significantly enhances rights, medical care, family notification, transparency, and due process protections for detained immigrants. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Improves civil rights protections, detention conditions, and due process rights which frequently impact immigrant communities. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Ensures strict compliance with accessibility standards and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Would children be better off under this? — Includes specific transport protections and reasonable accommodations for children in detention. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Provides specific transport accommodations and medical care considerations for elderly individuals. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Allows detained individuals to access healthcare services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Would business owners be better off under this? — Imposes stricter operational standards and potential contractual requirements on facility operators.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Significantly enhances transparency by requiring public reporting on enforcement incidents and granting Members of Congress unannounced access to facilities. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Mandates judicially enforceable warrants for arrests and detentions and provides legal remedies in removal proceedings for violations. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Limits the use of administrative warrants for entering private residences without consent, strengthening individual privacy protections. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Requires compliance with state health and safety standards for new detention facilities and involves local officials.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — Establishes strict oversight, transparency, grievance processes, and restrictions on excessive force for immigration enforcement personnel. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Mandates accommodations for individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health disabilities during transport and detention. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Enhances civil rights protections and accountability measures during immigration enforcement operations. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Guarantees detained individuals timely and reasonable access to faith leaders. Does this tighten control of the border? — Imposes additional procedural hurdles and warrant requirements on immigration enforcement actions.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Detainees are guaranteed timely access to medical services and the ability to receive necessary prescription medications and medical devices. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill ensures timely medical and mental health services for detained individuals, including chronic condition management. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The legislation allows detained individuals with care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to access those healthcare services.
- 7/7/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2026
- 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.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Diana DeGetteDemocrat · Colorado
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado