Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act

Improved Detention Standards: The Secretary must establish detention standards that provide at least the level of protection described in the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards (Section 4(b)).

Increased Oversight and Accountability: The Inspector General is required to conduct unannounced, in-person inspections of facilities at least annually to ensure they meet established standards (Section 5(a)(1)).

Transparency Regarding Deaths in Custody: In the event of a death, the Secretary must conduct a root cause analysis involving medical professionals and must make the full investigation report available to the public (Section 5(b)(2)).

Legal Recourse for Detainees: Individuals injured due to a violation of detention standards may file civil actions in district court to seek injunctive relief and compensatory damages (Section 6).

Fairer Bond and Custody Determinations: Immigration judges must consider an alien's financial position when setting bonds to avoid financial hardship, and the Secretary may not continue detention solely based on an inability to pay (Section 9(a)(1)(A) and 9(a)(2)).

Presumption of Release: In custody determination hearings, there is a presumption that an alien should be released (Section 9(a)(3)(A)).

Protection for Vulnerable Individuals: There are specific requirements for the detention of vulnerable persons and primary caregivers, noting they may not be detained unless it is unreasonable to place them in community-based supervision (Section 9(a)(5)).

Access to Legal Information and Counsel: The Act ensures detainees have access to a Legal Orientation Program and allows for confidential contact with legal counsel through various meeting methods (Section 11 and Section 12).

Support Through Community Programs: The establishment of a community-based case management program provides support options such as social services, medical/mental health services, housing, and legal services (Section 9(a)(6)(B)(ii)).

Strict Penalties for Non-compliant Facilities: Facilities that fail to meet standards may face meaningful fines of at least 10 percent of their contract value or termination of their contracts (Section 5(a)(3)(A)(i) and 5(a)(3)(B)(i)).

End of Private Detention: The bill requires the termination of contracts with all private for-profit entities that own or operate detention facilities within three years (Section 7(b)(1)).

Changes to Alternatives to Detention: Contracts with private for-profit entities for nonresidential, detention-related activities must be terminated within three years, moving those programs to nonprofit or Department operation (Section 7(b)(2)).