Justice for Jocelyn Act

House Bill

H.R. 355

119th Congress

Justice for Jocelyn Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 13, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Don Bacon

Representative

Republican

NE-2

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

The Justice for Jocelyn Act limits ICEs Alternatives to Detention program, requiring all detention beds be filled before releases. Released individuals must be on GPS monitoring with curfew, and those failing conditions face removal in absentia.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Justice for Jocelyn Act limits ICEs Alternatives to Detention program, requiring all detention beds be filled before releases. Released individuals must be on GPS monitoring with curfew, and those failing conditions face removal in absentia.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Justice for Jocelyn ActThis bill limits Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Alternatives to Detention program, which supervises non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) subject to removal who are released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, releases under this program are prohibited unless all detention beds are filled and DHS found no alternatives after exercising and exhausting all reasonable options.The bill requires all individuals on ICE’s nondetained docket to be enrolled in the program and be subject to continuous GPS monitoring and curfew.Further, the bill requires a non-U.S. national who was arrested and released to be removed in absentia if an immigration officer submits an affidavit to an immigration judge stating that the individual failed to comply with a condition of release.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Limits ICE Alternatives to Detention releases
Requires detention beds be filled first
Mandates GPS monitoring for all releases
Imposes curfew requirements
Enables removal in absentia for violations

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Undocumented immigrants would face increased detention or strict monitoring. ICE would have less flexibility in release decisions. Immigrant rights groups oppose while enforcement advocates support stricter measures.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

355, 119th Congress (2025). "Justice for Jocelyn Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-355