Kamala Harris Proposes Legislation to Abolish DHS Detention

In a bold move to reform immigration policies, Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed new legislation aimed at abolishing the detaining system overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This plan would result in the release of over 20,000 undocumented individuals into the United States, a significant development in the ongoing immigration debate.

Sponsorship of the DONE Act

Harris, alongside Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), originally sponsored the Detention Oversight Not Expansion (DONE) Act in 2018. The legislation sought to reshape immigration detention policies at a fundamental level, marking a shift toward a more humane approach to undocumented immigrants.

Reduction in Detention Capacity

The DONE Act proposed a comprehensive ban on the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, irrespective of the levels of illegal immigration. Additionally, it aimed to cut ICE’s detention capacity by 50%, which would translate to the release of approximately 21,000 individuals into the U.S. interior under federal monitoring.

Release of Detainees

Central to Harris’s proposal was the release of more than 20,000 undocumented individuals currently in DHS custody. Notably, the legislation included provisions to forbid the detention of individuals classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the DHS secretary, further emphasizing the intent to prioritize humanitarian concerns.

Criticism and Implications

However, the proposal has faced sharp criticism from various quarters. RJ Hauman, president of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), argued that Harris’s plan could jeopardize public safety by allowing criminal aliens to remain free while ensuring that detention becomes non-mandatory for undocumented individuals. This criticism highlights the contentious nature of immigration reform in the current political climate.

Reinstatement of Obama’s Family Case Management Program

Additionally, the DONE Act sought to reinstate Obama’s Family Case Management Program, which offered a range of social services to migrants released into the U.S. This included pro-bono legal assistance, medical care, integration into public schools, public transportation, and housing support, aiming to help migrants navigate their new lives in the country.

Campaign and Senate Record

During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris made a commitment to close all immigration detention facilities operated by private contractors on her first day in office. This bold pledge hinted at her determination to change the status quo and would have resulted in the release of approximately 90% of undocumented individuals then held in DHS custody.

Current Campaign Silence

Interestingly, as she embarks on her current 2024 presidential campaign, Harris has not publicly mentioned her sponsorship of the DONE Act. This silence on an issue she previously championed has raised questions among political analysts and constituents regarding her evolving stance on immigration detention.

As the debate over immigration reform continues, Harris’s proposals and past commitments remain pivotal points of discussion within the broader context of U.S. immigration policy.