Arizona senators back Respect for Local Communities Act

WASHINGTON (KYMA) - Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) announced they are backing the Respect for Local Communities Act.

According to a press release, this is to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to require "public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before constructing, acquiring or operating any new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility or detention center."

The bill is also said to require the DHS secretary to notify "relevant Congressional committees before they initiate such activities.

"ICE's plan to turn a warehouse in Surprise into a detention facility without consulting city, county or state officials shows the agency's complete lack of transparency. I fully support securing the border, but that’s not what this is. Instead, once again, DHS has chosen Stephen Miller's depraved and dangerous agenda over working with local leaders to protect Arizonans," said Sen. Gallego. "This bill would ban DHS from forcing communities to shoulder the burden on public services and infrastructure of a detention center without any say in the decision."

"Local community members and officials deserve a seat at the table when the federal government makes decisions that affect them. Our bill makes sure DHS can't blindside communities and force facilities on them like they did in Surprise. Rather, it will require transparency, coordination, and cooperation with people on the ground. We can enforce our laws and secure the border without leaving communities in the dark," said Sen. Kelly.

Last month, the press release says DHS acquired and was awarded a contract to reconstruct a warehouse in Surprise, Arizona to "house and process 1,500 ICE detainees without notifying" officials with the City of Surprise and Maricopa County.

Following this, Kelly and Gallego co-wrote a letter to the Trump Administration demanding answers regarding DHS' plans for the facility in Surprise, as well as addressing concerns raised by constituents.

To learn more about the bill, click here.