A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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 OPEN Act aims to increase transparency and accountability within immigration enforcement. It grants Members of Congress unrestricted access to immigration detention facilities to observe conditions and compliance. The bill establishes strict rules for the use of force, detention of individuals, and the transportation of detainees. It also mandates specific grievance procedures and public reporting on misconduct or excessive force. Additionally, the bill imposes requirements on the conversion of existing buildings into detention centers. Finally, it establishes new judicial warrant requirements for arrests and detentions.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +9
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill greatly expands the rights of detainees to access legal counsel, family, medical care, and due process.
- Scored +9
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill requires judicial warrants for arrests and detentions, significantly strengthening legal protections for individuals.
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates public reporting on misconduct and grants Members of Congress unrestricted access to detention facilities.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill restricts the use of administrative warrants for entry into private residences, which may impact enforcement efficiency.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Oversight of Detention Facilities: Members of Congress are granted unrestricted access to detention facilities, including the ability to speak privately with detainees and observe conditions (Section 3(a)).
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Enhanced Rights for Detained Individuals: The bill ensures detainees have timely access to legal counsel, faith leaders, and family members (Section s 3(a) and 4(b)).
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Improved Medical Care: Detainees are guaranteed access to medical and mental health services, including emergency care and management of chronic conditions (Section 4(c)).
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Protection Against Excessive Force: The bill explicitly prohibits the use of excessive force during immigration enforcement operations (Section 4(a)).
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Standardized Transportation Safety: The bill establishes safety protocols for transporting detainees, such as requiring seatbelts, adequate ventilation, and regular bathroom breaks (Section 4(d)).
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Accountability for Misconduct: Detainees are provided with a confidential and accessible grievance process to report issues like abuse or excessive force (Section 3(c)).
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Stronger Legal Protections: The bill requires a judicial warrant for arrests or detentions, which provides a higher level of legal protection (Section 6(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Administrative Warrants: Administrative warrants may no longer authorize entry into private residences or dwellings unless the individual is a flight risk or a danger to the public (Section 6(b)).
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Limits on Evidence: Information obtained during an enforcement action that violates the new warrant requirements cannot be used as evidence in removal proceedings (Section 6(c)).
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? — The bill greatly expands the rights of detainees to access legal counsel, family, medical care, and due process. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill enhances the civil rights and due process protections for those targeted by immigration enforcement. Would children be better off under this? — The bill includes reasonable accommodations for children during the transport of detainees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes reasonable accommodations for elderly individuals during the transport of detainees. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases the legal protections and civil rights of immigrants, who are often from low-income backgrounds.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill requires judicial warrants for arrests and detentions, significantly strengthening legal protections for individuals. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public reporting on misconduct and grants Members of Congress unrestricted access to detention facilities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires mandatory reasonable accommodations for individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health disabilities during transport. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill provides stronger legal protections and due process for those in removal proceedings by requiring judicial warrants. Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill restricts the use of administrative warrants for entry into private residences, which may impact enforcement efficiency.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates that detained individuals receive timely mental health services, including continuity of care during transfers.
- 5/20/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
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.