Floor SpeechUrgent2026-01-29

Text of Senate Amendment 4282

ImmigrationHealthcareTaxesEnvironmentCivil Rights

Context

On 2026-01-29, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 4282" in the Senate. The speech addressed immigration and also covered healthcare, taxes. It referenced legislation including HR7148, S390, S391.

Full Text

Text of Senate Amendment 4282

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 21 (Thursday, January 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 21 (Thursday, January 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S390-S391] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 4282. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 7148, making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 1176, after line 17, add the following: SEC. 239. LIMITING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AT SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. (a) In General.--Section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(i)(1) In order to ensure individuals' access to sensitive locations, this subsection shall apply to any enforcement action by-- ``(A) officers or agents of the Department of Homeland Security, including officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and ``(B) any individual designated to perform immigration enforcement functions pursuant to a written agreement described in subsection (g). ``(2)(A) An enforcement action may not take place, be focused on a location, or occur, within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location, except under exigent circumstances. ``(B) If an immigration enforcement action is taking place under exigent circumstances, and the exigent circumstances permitting the enforcement action cease, the enforcement action shall be discontinued until such exigent circumstances reemerge. ``(C) If an individual referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) is not certain as to whether exigent circumstances exist, the individual-- ``(i) shall cease the enforcement action immediately; ``(ii) shall consult with his or her supervisor in real time regarding the existence of exigent circumstances; and ``(iii) may not continue the enforcement action until the individual's supervisor affirmatively confirms the existence of exigent circumstances. ``(3)(A) When proceeding with an enforcement action at or near a sensitive location, individuals referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) shall make every effort-- ``(i) to conduct themselves as discreetly as possible, consistent with officer and public safety; ``(ii) to limit the time spent at the sensitive location; and ``(iii) to limit the enforcement action to the person or persons for whom prior approval was obtained. ``(B) If, in the course of an enforcement action that is not initiated at or focused on a sensitive location, individuals referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) are led to or near a sensitive location, and no clear exigent circumstance with respect to the sensitive location exists, such individuals shall-- ``(i) cease before taking any further enforcement action; ``(ii) conduct themselves in a discreet manner; ``(iii) maintain surveillance; and ``(iv) in the event that uncertainty exists about the existence of exigent circumstances, immediately consult their supervisor in order to determine whether such enforcement action should be discontinued pursuant to paragraph (2)(C). ``(C) This subsection shall not apply to the transportation of an individual apprehended at or near a land or sea border to a hospital or health care provider for the purpose of providing such individual medical care. ``(D) This subsection shall not apply to a rare premeditated arrest operation, undertaken with the prior written approval of an appropriate authorizing official, involving the targeted arrest of a terrorist suspect, an individual who poses a clear threat to national security, or an individual who poses an extraordinary danger to public safety. ``(4) If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this subsection-- ``(A) no information resulting from the enforcement action may be entered into the record or received into evidence in a removal proceeding resulting from the enforcement action; and ``(B) the alien who is the subject of such removal proceeding may file a motion for the immediate termination of the removal proceeding. ``(5)(A) Each official specified in subparagraph (B) shall ensure that the employees under the supervision of such official receive annual training in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, section 239, and section 384 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1367). ``(B) The officials specified in this subparagraph are the following: ``(i) The Chief Counsel of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(ii) The Field Office Directors of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(iii) Each Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(iv) Each Chief Patrol Agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(v) The Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(vi) The Director of Air and Marine Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(vii) The Internal Affairs Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(6)(A) Not later than 30 days after any enforcement action is taken at a sensitive location by any individual referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a report to both the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security for each such enforcement action, which shall contain-- ``(i) the date, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action occurred; ``(ii) the specific sensitive location site where the enforcement action occurred; ``(iii) the type of enforcement action that occurred; ``(iv) the specific department, agency, and officers responsible for the enforcement action; ``(v) a thorough description of the circumstances which purportedly justified the enforcement action, including either-- ``(I) a clear description of the exigent circumstances involved; or ``(II) a certified copy of the written approval for the immigration arrest that was signed by an appropriate authorizing officer, along with a clear description of the specific and rare threat which justified the premeditated arrest at this sensitive location; ``(vi) a description of the intended target of the enforcement action; ``(vii) the number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through the enforcement action; ``(viii) the number of collateral arrests, if any, from the enforcement action and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(ix) a certification of whether a supervisor was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(B) An appropriate committee of Congress may, at any time, request and successfully receive a confidential or redacted copy of any of the individual reports described in subparagraph (A). ``(7)(A) The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall each submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes the enforcement actions undertaken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as applicable, during the preceding fiscal year that were covered by this subsection. ``(B) Each report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include-- ``(i) the number of enforcement actions at or focused on a sensitive location; ``(ii) the number of enforcement actions where officers or agents were subsequently led to or near a sensitive location; ``(iii) the date, site, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action covered by clause (i) or (ii) occurred; ``(iv) the component of the agency responsible for each such enforcement action; ``(v) a description of the intended target of each such enforcement action; ``(vi) the number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through each such enforcement action; ``(vii) the number of collateral arrests, if any, from each such enforcement action and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(viii) a certification of whether the location administrator was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(8)(A) The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the [[Page S391]] complaints of enforcement actions taken in sensitive locations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection during the preceding year that were covered by this subsection. ``(B) Each report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include-- ``(i) the number of complaints of enforcement actions reported at, or focused on, a sensitive location; ``(ii) the reported date, site, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action referred to in clause (i) occurred; ``(iii) the reported agency responsible for each such enforcement action; ``(iv) a description of the intended target of each such enforcement action; ``(v) the reported number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through each such enforcement action; ``(vi) the reported number of collateral arrests, if any, from each such enforcement action, and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(vii) if available, a certification of whether the location administrator was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(9) In this subsection: ``(A) The term `appropriate authorizing official' means-- ``(i) in the case of officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-- ``(I) the Assistant Director of Operations, Homeland Security I

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Text of Senate Amendment 4282 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 21 (Thursday, January 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 21 (Thursday, January 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S390-S391] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 4282. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 7148, making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 1176, after line 17, add the following: SEC. 239. LIMITING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AT SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. (a) In General.--Section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(i)(1) In order to ensure individuals' access to sensitive locations, this subsection shall apply to any enforcement action by-- ``(A) officers or agents of the Department of Homeland Security, including officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and ``(B) any individual designated to perform immigration enforcement functions pursuant to a written agreement described in subsection (g). ``(2)(A) An enforcement action may not take place, be focused on a location, or occur, within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location, except under exigent circumstances. ``(B) If an immigration enforcement action is taking place under exigent circumstances, and the exigent circumstances permitting the enforcement action cease, the enforcement action shall be discontinued until such exigent circumstances reemerge. ``(C) If an individual referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) is not certain as to whether exigent circumstances exist, the individual-- ``(i) shall cease the enforcement action immediately; ``(ii) shall consult with his or her supervisor in real time regarding the existence of exigent circumstances; and ``(iii) may not continue the enforcement action until the individual's supervisor affirmatively confirms the existence of exigent circumstances. ``(3)(A) When proceeding with an enforcement action at or near a sensitive location, individuals referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) shall make every effort-- ``(i) to conduct themselves as discreetly as possible, consistent with officer and public safety; ``(ii) to limit the time spent at the sensitive location; and ``(iii) to limit the enforcement action to the person or persons for whom prior approval was obtained. ``(B) If, in the course of an enforcement action that is not initiated at or focused on a sensitive location, individuals referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) are led to or near a sensitive location, and no clear exigent circumstance with respect to the sensitive location exists, such individuals shall-- ``(i) cease before taking any further enforcement action; ``(ii) conduct themselves in a discreet manner; ``(iii) maintain surveillance; and ``(iv) in the event that uncertainty exists about the existence of exigent circumstances, immediately consult their supervisor in order to determine whether such enforcement action should be discontinued pursuant to paragraph (2)(C). ``(C) This subsection shall not apply to the transportation of an individual apprehended at or near a land or sea border to a hospital or health care provider for the purpose of providing such individual medical care. ``(D) This subsection shall not apply to a rare premeditated arrest operation, undertaken with the prior written approval of an appropriate authorizing official, involving the targeted arrest of a terrorist suspect, an individual who poses a clear threat to national security, or an individual who poses an extraordinary danger to public safety. ``(4) If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this subsection-- ``(A) no information resulting from the enforcement action may be entered into the record or received into evidence in a removal proceeding resulting from the enforcement action; and ``(B) the alien who is the subject of such removal proceeding may file a motion for the immediate termination of the removal proceeding. ``(5)(A) Each official specified in subparagraph (B) shall ensure that the employees under the supervision of such official receive annual training in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, section 239, and section 384 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1367). ``(B) The officials specified in this subparagraph are the following: ``(i) The Chief Counsel of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(ii) The Field Office Directors of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(iii) Each Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(iv) Each Chief Patrol Agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(v) The Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(vi) The Director of Air and Marine Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(vii) The Internal Affairs Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(6)(A) Not later than 30 days after any enforcement action is taken at a sensitive location by any individual referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a report to both the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security for each such enforcement action, which shall contain-- ``(i) the date, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action occurred; ``(ii) the specific sensitive location site where the enforcement action occurred; ``(iii) the type of enforcement action that occurred; ``(iv) the specific department, agency, and officers responsible for the enforcement action; ``(v) a thorough description of the circumstances which purportedly justified the enforcement action, including either-- ``(I) a clear description of the exigent circumstances involved; or ``(II) a certified copy of the written approval for the immigration arrest that was signed by an appropriate authorizing officer, along with a clear description of the specific and rare threat which justified the premeditated arrest at this sensitive location; ``(vi) a description of the intended target of the enforcement action; ``(vii) the number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through the enforcement action; ``(viii) the number of collateral arrests, if any, from the enforcement action and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(ix) a certification of whether a supervisor was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(B) An appropriate committee of Congress may, at any time, request and successfully receive a confidential or redacted copy of any of the individual reports described in subparagraph (A). ``(7)(A) The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall each submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes the enforcement actions undertaken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as applicable, during the preceding fiscal year that were covered by this subsection. ``(B) Each report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include-- ``(i) the number of enforcement actions at or focused on a sensitive location; ``(ii) the number of enforcement actions where officers or agents were subsequently led to or near a sensitive location; ``(iii) the date, site, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action covered by clause (i) or (ii) occurred; ``(iv) the component of the agency responsible for each such enforcement action; ``(v) a description of the intended target of each such enforcement action; ``(vi) the number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through each such enforcement action; ``(vii) the number of collateral arrests, if any, from each such enforcement action and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(viii) a certification of whether the location administrator was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(8)(A) The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the [[Page S391]] complaints of enforcement actions taken in sensitive locations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection during the preceding year that were covered by this subsection. ``(B) Each report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include-- ``(i) the number of complaints of enforcement actions reported at, or focused on, a sensitive location; ``(ii) the reported date, site, State, and local political subdivision (such as city, town, or county) in which each enforcement action referred to in clause (i) occurred; ``(iii) the reported agency responsible for each such enforcement action; ``(iv) a description of the intended target of each such enforcement action; ``(v) the reported number of individuals, if any, arrested or taken into custody through each such enforcement action; ``(vi) the reported number of collateral arrests, if any, from each such enforcement action, and the reasons for each such arrest; and ``(vii) if available, a certification of whether the location administrator was contacted prior to, during, or after each such enforcement action. ``(9) In this subsection: ``(A) The term `appropriate authorizing official' means-- ``(i) in the case of officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-- ``(I) the Assistant Director of Operations, Homeland Security I