Prohibits state and municipal officials or body from entering into and renewing any agreements that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would prohibit state and local government officials in Rhode Island from entering into or renewing contracts and agreements that allow state or local facilities — such as jails or detention centers — to be used to hold people for civil immigration violations on behalf of the federal government. In other words, it would prevent Rhode Island's government from partnering with federal immigration authorities to detain individuals who have not been charged with a crime, but are instead being held for violating civil immigration rules.

The bill would affect a range of people and institutions. State and municipal officials, law enforcement agencies, and local governments would no longer be able to sign or extend these types of agreements. People who are currently or potentially subject to civil immigration detention in Rhode Island could also be affected, as fewer local facilities would be available for that purpose. It would not, however, prevent cooperation with federal authorities on criminal matters — only on civil immigration violations.

Currently, this bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning lawmakers are still reviewing the proposal and no final vote has been taken. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in early March 2026, so it remains an active but unresolved piece of legislation.