Alternatives to Detention Act of 2021

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to use alternatives to detention for certain vulnerable immigrant populations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alternatives to Detention Act of 2021 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Dependent caregiver The term dependent caregiver ½ (A) younger than 18 years of age; or (B) unable to engage in substantial employment due to a physical or mental health condition or disability. (2) Executive departments The term executive departments (3) Family caregiver The term family caregiver ½ (A) younger than 18 years of age; or (B) unable to engage in substantial employment due to a physical or mental health condition or disability. (4) Family member The term family member (A) a parent or legal guardian; (B) a spouse; (C) a child; (D) a step-family member; or (E) an extended family member. (5) Immigration laws The term immigration laws 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17) (6) Legal guardian The term legal guardian (7) Member of a vulnerable population The term member of a vulnerable population (A) is an asylum seeker or is otherwise seeking lawful status; (B) is a victim of torture or trafficking; (C) has special religious, cultural, or spiritual considerations; (D) is pregnant or nursing; (E) is younger than 21 years of age; (F) is older than 60 years of age; (G) identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex; (H) is a victim or a witness of a crime; (I) has a mental disorder or physical disability; or (J) is experiencing severe trauma or is a survivor of torture or gender-based violence, as determined by an immigration judge or the Secretary based on information obtained— (i) by the attorney or legal services provider of the individual during the intake process; or (ii) through credible reporting by the individual. (8) Parent The term parent (9) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Alternatives to detention under the immigration laws (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish programs to provide alternatives to detention under the immigration laws. (2) Availability The programs required under paragraph (1) shall be available to an alien regardless of whether— (A) a decision on a charge of removability with respect to the alien is pending; or (B) the alien is subject to an order of removal. (3) Continuum of supervision The programs required under paragraph (1) shall provide for a continuum of supervision mechanisms and options, including community-based supervision and community support. (4) Contracts with nongovernmental organizations The Secretary may contract with one or more nongovernmental organizations to provide services under this subsection and subsection (b). (b) Restoration of the Family Case Management Program Not later than 7 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall fully restore the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Family Case Management Program, as constituted on January 21, 2016, which shall— (1) provide community supervision and community support services, including case management services, appearance services, and screening of aliens who have been detained; and (2) be carried out through a contract with a nongovernmental organization that has demonstrated expertise in providing such supervision and support services. (c) Determination of vulnerable population or caregiver status required (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), not later than 72 hours after taking an individual into custody under the immigration laws, the Secretary, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an immigration officer, or an immigration judge shall make an individualized determination with respect to— (A) whether the individual may participate in an alternatives to detention program, including the Family Case Management Program described in subsection (b); and (B) the appropriate level of supervision for such individual. (2) Presumption for placement in alternatives to detention program (A) In general There shall be a presumption for placement in an alternatives to detention program that is a community-based supervision program for any alien who is— (i) taken into the physical custody of the Department of Homeland Security; and (ii) a member of a vulnerable population, a parent of a child who is younger than 18 years of age, a dependent caregiver, or a family caregiver. (B) Exception The presumption described in subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the Secretary, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an immigration officer, or an immigration judge specifically determines that the alien is a threat to himself or herself or to the public. (3) Exceptions Alternatives to detention programs shall not be available to any individual— (A) who is detained pursuant to section 236A of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1226a (B) for whom release on bond or recognizance is determined to be a sufficient measure to ensure appearances at immigration proceedings and public safety. (d) Coordinator of Alternatives to Detention (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (A) establish within the Department of Homeland Security the position of Coordinator of Alternatives to Detention (referred to in this subsection as the Coordinator (B) appoint the Coordinator. (2) Resources The Secretary shall make available to the Coordinator such personnel, funds, and other resources as may be appropriate to enable the Coordinator to carry out the mission described in paragraph (3)(A). (3) Mission and duties (A) Mission The mission of the Coordinator shall be to coordinate, in collaboration with the executive departments, the use of alternatives to detention programs. (B) Duties of coordinator (i) In general The Coordinator shall— (I) serve as the primary point of contact within the executive branch for Congress, State and local governments, the private sector, and community leaders with respect to the alternatives to detention programs; and (II) in coordination with the executive departments, with respect to Congress, State and local governments, the private sector, and community leaders, manage information flow about, requests for actions relating to, and discussions on, such programs. (ii) Reports required (I) Monthly reports Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Coordinator is appointed, and every 30 days thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit a report to Congress that includes, for the reporting period— (aa) the number of individuals detained under the immigration laws— (AA) pending a decision on whether the individual is to be removed; and (BB) after the issuance of a removal order; (bb) an assessment whether any individual described in item (aa) is subject to the special rule under subsection (c)(2)(B); and (cc) the number of individuals participating in an alternatives to detention program established under subsection (a), disaggregated by the level of supervision of such individuals. (II) Annual reports Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Coordinator is appointed, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall submit a report to Congress that includes— (aa) guidance and requirements for referral and placement decisions in alternatives to detention programs; (bb) information on enrollment in alternatives to detention programs, disaggregated by field office; (cc) information on the length of enrollment in alternatives to detention programs, disaggregated by type of alternative to detention program; and (dd) information on the population enrolled in alternatives to detention programs, disaggregated by type of alternative to detention program and point of apprehension. (C) Duties of executive departments The heads of the executive departments shall— (i) respond promptly to any request by the Coordinator; (ii) consistent with applicable law, provide such information as the Coordinator considers necessary to carry out the mission of the Coordinator; and (iii) otherwise cooperate with the Coordinator to the maximum extent practicable to facilitate the performance of the mission described in subparagraph (A). (e) GAO study and report The Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study on the use and effectiveness of the alternatives to detention programs established pursuant to subsection (a); and (2) not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit a report to Congress that contains the results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1). 4. Savings provisions (a) Federal law Nothing in this Act may be construed to supersede or modify— (1) the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 ( 8 U.S.C. 1232 et seq. (2) the Stipulated Settlement Agreement filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on January 17, 1997 (CV 85–4544–RJK) (commonly known as the Flores Settlement Agreement (3) the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq. (4) any applicable Federal child welfare law, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 ( Public Law 105–89 (b) State law Nothing in this Act may be construed to supersede or modify any applicable State child welfare law.

Summary: Alternatives to Detention Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish programs that are alternatives to detention for immigration enforcement and addresses related issues. Such programs must be available regardless of whether an alien is subject to a removal order or whether a charge of removability is pending, but shall not be available to certain aliens, such as those subject to mandatory detention. DHS or an immigration judge must determine, within 72 hours of an individual being taken into custody for immigration enforcement, the appropriate level of supervision for the individual and whether the individual may participate in such an alternative program. For a member of a vulnerable population (such as a victim of trafficking) or a caregiver (such as a parent of a minor), there must be a presumption that such an individual must be placed in a community-based supervision program. DHS must restore the Family Case Management Program as an alternative to detention. This program must provide community supervision and community support services through a contract with a nongovernmental organization. DHS must establish a Coordinator of Alternatives to Detention position. The Government Accountability Office must report on the use and effectiveness of the programs established under this bill.