HB355, titled the "Justice for Jocelyn Act," would sharply restrict the use of the Department of Homeland Security’s Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program and impose mandatory GPS monitoring and curfew requirements on non-detained immigrants in immigration proceedings. The bill provides that no alien may be released through ATD unless all available detention beds are full, no other detention option exists, and the Secretary has exhausted reasonable efforts to keep the person detained. It also requires every person on ICE’s nondetained docket to be enrolled in ATD, continuously tracked by GPS throughout immigration proceedings and, if ordered removed, until removal is completed.
In addition, the bill would require covered individuals to remain at their ATD-compliant home address between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make failure to comply with a release condition grounds for an in absentia removal order if an immigration officer files an affidavit with the immigration judge. The bill includes a severability clause to preserve the rest of the law if any part is struck down by a court.
Impact
If enacted, HB355 would significantly alter federal immigration enforcement and court procedures by narrowing when DHS may use alternatives to detention, expanding mandatory electronic monitoring, and creating a new statutory basis for in absentia removal based on noncompliance with release conditions. It would affect ICE, immigration judges, and noncitizens on the nondetained docket by increasing supervision, limiting release discretion, and potentially accelerating removal proceedings. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, particularly provisions governing release, detention, and in absentia orders.
Sentiment
The bill’s title and structure suggest a punitive, enforcement-focused approach to immigration, and the available context shows it was introduced by Republican sponsors and referred to committee without recorded votes or hearings. Because there are no committee transcripts or vote results, there is no documented bipartisan debate in the provided materials. Overall, the bill appears to reflect strong support among its sponsors for stricter immigration control and monitoring, with no recorded formal opposition in the available history.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s broad expansion of mandatory GPS monitoring, its curfew requirement, and its severe limitation on the use of alternatives to detention. Critics would likely argue that the bill reduces judicial and agency discretion, increases detention-like restrictions without full detention, and raises due process concerns by allowing removal in absentia based on an affidavit of noncompliance. Supporters would likely frame the bill as improving compliance with immigration orders and preventing absconding by individuals released from custody.
Justice for Jocelyn ActThis bill limits Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Alternatives to Detention program, which supervises non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) subject to removal who are released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, releases under this program are prohibited unless all detention beds are filled and DHS found no alternatives after exercising and exhausting all reasonable options.The bill requires all individuals on ICE’s nondetained docket to be enrolled in the program and be subject to continuous GPS monitoring and curfew.Further, the bill requires a non-U.S. national who was arrested and released to be removed in absentia if an immigration officer submits an affidavit to an immigration judge stating that the individual failed to comply with a condition of release.
A resolution directing the impeachment of Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State of the state of Michigan, for corrupt conduct in office and for crimes and misdemeanors.