Since 2011 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Sensitive Locations policy, also known as the Protected Areas policy, prohibited immigration enforcement actions in places that provided vital services important to well-being. In 2021, DHS announced a “protected areas” policy that strengthened and clarified the existing policy. However, on January 20, 2025, the policy was rescinded and immigration officials are to use “common sense” as it applies to immigration enforcement in previously protected areas. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act would codify the longstanding guidance into law and would ensure that schools would remain accessible to all learners for education. 

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act:

• Prohibits immigration enforcement actions by DHS officers or agents at or within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations, including:
• Medical treatment and health care facilities, such as hospitals, community health centers, and accredited health clinics;
• Public and private schools and other education-related locations, such as pre-schools, Head Start programs, early care and education programs, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, school bus stops, and during school field trips;
• Places where children gather, such as playgrounds, recreation centers, and child care centers;
• Places providing social services, including disaster or emergency response relief, such as food banks and pantries, shelters, the office of an individual’s lawyer, community-based organizations, public libraries, union halls, and other organizations and centers that provide assistance;
• Places of worship, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues;
• Religious or civil ceremonies or observances, such as sites of funerals and weddings;
• During public demonstrations, such as a march, rally, or parade;
• Government buildings, such as federal, state, or local courthouses, Congressional district offices, Social Security offices, public assistance offices, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Establishes exceptions for sensitive locations in the case of exigent circumstances, such as imminent risk of death, violence, or threat to public safety. Additionally, sensitive locations do not apply to the transportation of an individual apprehended at the border to a medical facility to receive care. .
• Requires annual training for DHS officers on the sensitive locations policy and annual reporting from DHS regarding enforcement actions or complaints of enforcement actions at sensitive locations.
• Prevents information from being entered into the record in a removal proceeding resulting from a violation of the sensitive locations policy and allows for the immediate termination of the removal proceeding in that instance.

Urge your Members of Congress to support this bill today!