Justice for Jocelyn Act

Senate Bill

S. 72

119th Congress

Justice for Jocelyn Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 13, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Chris Van Hollen

Senator

Democratic

MD

Cosponsors

6

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

Named after a victim of violent crime, this bill restricts releases from ICE custody under the Alternatives to Detention program, requiring all detention beds be filled first. It mandates GPS monitoring and curfews for all individuals on the nondetained docket and allows removal in absentia for those who violate release conditions.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

Named after a victim of violent crime, this bill restricts releases from ICE custody under the Alternatives to Detention program, requiring all detention beds be filled first. It mandates GPS monitoring and curfews for all individuals on the nondetained docket and allows removal in absentia for those who violate release conditions.

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 Alternatives to Detention program releases
Requires all detention beds filled before releases
Mandates GPS monitoring for nondetained individuals
Imposes curfew requirements on released individuals
Allows removal in absentia for compliance violations

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Immigration enforcement would become stricter with fewer releases from detention and more monitoring of those released. Individuals awaiting immigration proceedings would face GPS tracking and curfews. Civil liberties groups raise concerns about due process while supporters cite public safety benefits.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

72, 119th Congress (2025). "Justice for Jocelyn Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-72