Bills · HR 4542
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4542Immigration
No Cages in the Everglades Act
INTRO JUL 17· LAST ACTION JUL 18
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
15
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses concerns about environmental protection and human rights within the immigration system. By explicitly forbidding detention facilities in the Everglades, it aims to prevent potential ecological damage to a unique and vulnerable natural habitat, a concern for many Floridians and environmental advocates. If this bill passes, it means a significant portion of a vital ecosystem would be shielded from potential development associated with immigration detention.
Furthermore, the bill's provisions for congressional access and an independent report on detention conditions could lead to greater transparency and accountability across all immigration detention facilities. This is important for voters concerned about the treatment of individuals in government custody and ensuring that facilities meet federal standards. If the bill doesn't pass, there would be no explicit federal ban on building such facilities in the Everglades, and congressional oversight of detention conditions might remain less robust, potentially allowing existing issues to persist without enhanced scrutiny.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using funds to plan, build, operate, or maintain immigration detention facilities within or adjacent to the Everglades ecosystem.
This provision directly protects a critical and sensitive natural environment from the potential impacts of detention facility development.
PROVISION 02
Grants Members of Congress and their designated staff the right to conduct announced or unannounced inspections of any DHS immigration detention facility, with this right unable to be limited by contracts.
This significantly enhances congressional oversight and transparency into the conditions and operations of all immigration detention centers.
PROVISION 03
Requires the DHS Inspector General to conduct an independent inquiry and submit a report within 90 days on any facility covered by the Everglades prohibition, assessing its funding, construction, compliance with standards, detainee complaints, and ecological/disaster risks.
This ensures a detailed, independent review of potential facilities and their impacts, providing crucial information to Congress.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 15
D· Florida
YRS IN OFFICE
21
BILLS LED
28
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 15 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSJUL 18
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
JUL 17
Introduced in House
JUL 17
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
JUL 17
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4542
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 17, 2025
Last actionJul 18, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 17, 2025
House BillHR 4542Immigration
No Cages in the Everglades Act
INTRODUCED JUL 17, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 18, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
15
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
