Bill · S. 5337· Senate(119-S-5337)
Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Katie Britt
- Cosponsors
- - 15 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation, known as the Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2026, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to change how the government handles the detention of certain non-citizens. It grants the Secretary of Homeland Security expanded authority regarding the apprehension, conditional parole, and detention of individuals during removal proceedings. The bill permits the indefinite detention of certain non-citizens under removal orders until they are actually removed from the country, subject to specific administrative reviews and certifications. It outlines strict limitations on releasing these individuals on bond and establishes rules for suspending the removal period if a non-citizen fails to cooperate with their removal. Additionally, the bill details specific conditions under which the Secretary can continue detaining individuals beyond the standard removal period, such as when they pose a threat to public safety or national security. Finally, the act contains severability clauses and outlines the effective dates for these policy changes.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+6
The bill shifts more authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security and allows for extended detention periods.
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill enhances border enforcement by granting the Secretary more authority to detain certain aliens for longer periods.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?+3
The bill increases the government's ability to monitor and detain certain individuals for national security reasons.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?-9
The bill significantly increases the potential for indefinite detention and limits paths to release for many immigrants.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-8
The bill limits access to bond and restricts relief to writ of habeas corpus, potentially impacting due process for detainees.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-6
The bill's expanded detention provisions are likely to disproportionately impact Hispanic immigrant communities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Community Protection Provisions: Section 3 allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to continue detaining non-citizens beyond the standard removal period if the Secretary certifies in writing that the individual has a highly contagious disease posing a public safety threat, poses a national security risk, or has been convicted of certain aggravated felonies or violent crimes where mental conditions make them likely to commit future violence. This could be considered positive by community members because it aims to keep individuals who pose severe safety or health risks out of the general public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Indefinite Detention Without Time Limits: Section 2 adds a new subsection allowing non-citizens to be detained under section 236 for any period, without limitation, until a final order of removal is reached. This could be viewed as a negative burden because it exposes individuals to potentially endless imprisonment while awaiting immigration proceedings without a guaranteed timeline.
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Removal of Bond Eligibility: Section 2 and Section 3 explicitly state that certain detained non-citizens do not have the right to seek release on bond, particularly during suspended removal periods or when their detention is extended by the Secretary. This eliminates financial or supervised release options for affected individuals, forcing them to remain locked up while their cases are pending.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-9Good For Hispanic Americans-6
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Improves Due Process-8Improves Government Transparency-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5Improves Pathway To Citizenship-5
- 9/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
John HoevenRepublican · North Dakota
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama