U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has collaborated with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and 27 other lawmakers in both the House and Senate to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. This legislation aims to secure immigrant access to essential services by restricting immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and courthouses.
Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of this legislation: “Our immigrant communities should not have to live in constant fear of being apprehended by ICE, especially when accessing fundamental services such as health care and education.” The bill is designed to reinforce existing Department of Homeland Security policies that were rescinded during President Trump’s administration, ensuring immigrants can safely seek necessary services without fearing deportation.
The proposed act defines a variety of “sensitive locations” where enforcement actions would be limited. These include medical facilities, educational institutions, places of worship, courthouses, DMVs, polling places, labor union halls, and other venues offering essential or emergency services like rape crisis centers and homeless shelters.
Besides Senators Hirono and Blumenthal, several other senators support the bill. They include Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
More than 580 organizations back this legislation, including prominent groups like the Center for Law and Social Policy and the American Federation of Teachers.
In addition to her work on this bill, Senator Hirono has been active in various immigration reform efforts. Earlier this month she introduced the Access to Counsel Act to allow detained individuals at ports of entry to consult legal representatives. She also reintroduced the NO BAN Act aimed at preventing religious-based entry bans into the U.S., requiring evidence-backed decisions with Congressional consultation. Furthermore, she joined forces with Representative Ilhan Omar in January 2025 to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal an outdated law targeting immigrants based on national origin.
