U.S. citizens wrongfully arrested or detained by immigration authorities could receive at least $500,000 in damages under a new bill introduced in Congress.
Democratic Representative Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act on Thursday. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, is the only co-sponsor at the time of writing.
The legislation would establish a specific cause of action for U.S. citizens arrested or detained by immigration officers, or other law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws, without a warrant or probable cause on or after January 20, 2025. Those citizens could bring a lawsuit in federal district court against the officer involved and the U.S.
If a court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, the bill would require an award of $500,000, plus another $100,000 for each day the person remained detained after the initial day of arrest or detention. Successful plaintiffs would also be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, as well as appropriate injunctive or declaratory relief.
“Congresswoman Leger Fernandez has shown more concern for criminal illegal aliens who’ve broken our laws and destroyed any possibility of ever remaining in our country than she ever has for Rachel Morin, Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and the true victims of illegal alien crimes in America,” a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek.
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