Short-Term Holding Facility Standards Restoration Act.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8557 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8557 To prohibit long-term custody in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facilities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 28, 2026 Mr. Stanton (for himself, Ms. Ansari, and Mrs. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To prohibit long-term custody in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facilities, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Short-Term Holding Facility Standards Restoration Act.'' SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facilities are designed for short-term custody and processing. (2) Prior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy defined ``short-term'' as not exceeding 12 hours, absent exceptional circumstances. (3) Prolonged detention in holding facilities undermines detainee welfare, facility design limits, and operational intent. (4) Restoring the 12-hour standard ensures consistency with prior agency guidance. SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON DURATION OF DETENTION. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that, absent exceptional circumstances described in subsection (b), a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility may only be used for short-term custody of a detainee. (b) Exceptional Circumstances.--Exceptional circumstances are temporary and unforeseen circumstances requiring immediate action, including-- (1) medical emergencies; (2) natural disasters or facility disruptions; (3) transportation or