Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act or the HELD Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by a state or local subdivision that has in effect a law, policy, or procedure that prevents or impedes a timely response to a request by the Department of Homeland Security for information about an alien in custody, including the alien's estimated release date; or compliance with a detainer request.
If passed, HB 136 would significantly impact state and local law enforcement policies regarding immigration enforcement. Any state that refuses to comply with the requirements set forth in the bill would face a loss of federal funding, which could affect various public services and programs. This creates a strong financial incentive for states to align their immigration policies with federal guidelines, thereby limiting local autonomy on immigration-related matters and compelling adherence to federal priorities.
House Bill 136, also known as the Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act or the HELD Act, seeks to deny federal funding to any state or local government that has laws or policies impeding law enforcement officials from complying with immigration detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security. The bill emphasizes the importance of cooperation between state and federal entities in managing immigration enforcement and aims to reinforce the role of local law enforcement in this context.
The bill has sparked considerable debate among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that the legislation is necessary to ensure a unified approach to immigration enforcement and to prevent states from enacting policies that might undermine federal efforts to control immigration. Conversely, opponents contend that the bill infringes upon local governance and could lead to a chilling effect on community policing efforts, making undocumented individuals less likely to interact with law enforcement for fear of deportation.