No Cages in the Everglades Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
- Committees
- Homeland Security Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 18, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to protect the Everglades from immigration detention facility development while enhancing congressional oversight over all DHS detention operations.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from using any funds to plan, construct, operate, or maintain an immigration detention facility within or adjacent to the Everglades ecosystem. It also establishes a broad right for Members of Congress and their designated staff to conduct announced or unannounced inspections of any DHS detention facility nationwide. Furthermore, the bill mandates an independent inquiry by the DHS Inspector General into any existing or planned Everglades facility, assessing its funding, construction, compliance with standards, complaints, and ecological risks.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the Everglades is a unique and fragile ecosystem that must be protected from the environmental impact and potential risks associated with an immigration detention facility, especially given its vulnerability to natural disasters. They also contend that increased congressional oversight through unannounced inspections is crucial for ensuring humane conditions and accountability across all immigration detention facilities, promoting transparency and addressing concerns about detainee welfare.
Opponents contend
Opponents, or those with concerns about the bill's implications, might argue that restricting the locations for immigration detention facilities could limit DHS/ICE's operational flexibility and capacity to manage detainee populations effectively, potentially leading to overcrowding in other facilities or increased logistical costs. Some may also raise concerns that unannounced congressional inspections could disrupt facility operations or pose security challenges, even with protocols in place.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a reader to evaluate its core provisions within a short timeframe.
Section 2(a)
Prohibition on Operation and Funding of Immigration Detention Facility in the Everglades
This provision explicitly forbids the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from spending any money on the planning, construction, leasing, operation, staffing, or maintenance of an immigration detention facility located within or next to the Everglades ecosystem. It also prevents DHS from contracting with any public entity for these purposes, effectively blocking the establishment or continued operation of such a facility in the designated area.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this prohibition is essential for safeguarding the unique and vulnerable Everglades ecosystem from the environmental impact and risks associated with a large-scale detention facility, including potential pollution and disruption to wildlife. They emphasize the importance of preserving this national treasure.
Critics contend
Those concerned with immigration enforcement might argue that this provision unduly restricts DHS's ability to manage its detention capacity, potentially forcing the agency to rely on less suitable or more distant facilities, which could increase costs and logistical challenges.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the imperative of environmental conservation with the operational needs of immigration enforcement. It prioritizes the ecological integrity of the Everglades over the flexibility of DHS to site detention facilities in that specific region.
Section 2(b)
Congressional Right of Access to Detention Facilities
This section grants Members of Congress and their designated staff the explicit right to conduct announced or unannounced inspections of any facility used to detain or house individuals in DHS custody. This includes facilities operated by the federal government, state, or local governments. The bill specifies that this right of access cannot be limited or waived by any contractual agreement between DHS and facility operators, ensuring robust congressional oversight while requiring adherence to security and safety protocols.
Section 2(c)
Independent Report by DHS Inspector General
This section mandates that the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Homeland Security conduct an independent inquiry and submit a report to relevant congressional committees within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The report must detail how funds were used for any Everglades facility, describe its construction process, evaluate its compliance with various federal detention standards (e.g., NDS 2000, PBNDS 2008, NDS 2019), document detainee complaints, and assess ecological risks and risks to individuals/staff from natural disasters like flooding or hurricanes. The IG is also required to provide briefings on the report's contents.