Democrats Fight to Restore Protections for Immigrant Safe Zones

Espaillat and Blumenthal lead renewed push to protect schools, hospitals, and churches after Trump rollback

WASHINGTON — Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have reintroduced the bicameral Protecting Sensitive Locations Act in the 119th Congress. The bill seeks to codify and expand protections originally established by DHS under its Sensitive Locations policy, which began in 2011. This policy historically restricted ICE and CBP from conducting enforcement actions—such as arrests, searches, or surveillance—in places like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and other community hubs deemed vital for public well-being.