# Lawmakers Introduce Bill for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE

> A new bill aims to let U.S. citizens sue ICE for wrongful detentions, proposing significant compensation for those affected.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-22T18:30:42.338771Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/lawmakers-introduce-bill-for-citizens-wrongfully-detained-by-ice-7cd9a2ff

Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) introduced legislation on October 15, 2026, to allow U.S. citizens to sue U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other law enforcement officers for wrongful detentions, following reports of over 500 such detentions since January 20, 2025 [1][8][9]. The bill seeks to establish a specific federal cause of action and minimum compensation for those affected [1][4].

This legislation aims to provide a direct legal path and financial remedy for U.S. citizens who have been wrongly held by federal immigration agents [1]. It addresses concerns that U.S. citizens are being subjected to immigration enforcement actions intended for non-citizens, potentially violating their rights [1].

## What the records show

The bill, titled the "Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act," was introduced by Representative Leger Fernández and co-sponsored by Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) [1]. The U.S. House of Representatives referred the bill to the House Judiciary Committee [1].

The proposed law permits U.S. citizens to sue in federal court for arrests or detentions occurring on or after January 20, 2025, made without a warrant or probable cause [1][4]. It specifically waives the federal government's sovereign immunity, meaning the government cannot claim protection from lawsuits [1][4]. The bill also removes absolute or qualified immunity for federal immigration agents, which typically shields them from personal liability [1][4].

Successful plaintiffs would receive a minimum compensation of $500,000, plus an additional $100,000 for each day of detention beyond the first [1][4]. The legislation also covers reasonable attorney's fees and costs, as well as other injunctive or declaratory relief [1]. The statute of limitations for these claims would extend to five years [1]. The bill also proposes to rescind unobligated ICE funding from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a piece of legislation signed by President Donald Trump that increased funding for ICE [1][8].

This legislation comes after ProPublica reported over 500 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents since President Trump's second term began on January 20, 2025 [1][8][9]. This total includes approximately a dozen individuals reportedly deported, many of whom were children [1]. More than 100 individuals were held after agents questioned their citizenship, at least 70 children and teens were detained, and at least 63 people were held while recording ICE activity [1].

## The timeline

President Donald Trump began his second non-consecutive term on January 20, 2025 [8][9]. The "Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act" addresses detentions and arrests from this date forward [1]. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the bill on October 15, 2026 [1].

## What changed and for whom

Under current law, individuals seeking redress for wrongful acts by federal employees often sue the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, rather than directly suing agencies or individual officers [6]. This new bill would create a specific cause of action for U.S. citizens to directly sue ICE and its agents, bypassing existing immunity defenses [1][4][6]. This change would give U.S. citizens who believe they were wrongfully detained a clearer and more direct path to seek redress and compensation [1][4]. It would also place federal immigration agents at greater risk of personal liability for actions deemed wrongful [1][4].

## What the subject has said publicly

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly denied any pattern of wrongful detentions [1]. DHS spokespeople stated the department is “NOT arresting U.S. citizens by mistake” and that its enforcement operations are “highly targeted” [1].

Organizations have voiced support for the bill. Roman Palomares, National President and National Board Chair for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), stated, “when the government treats an American citizen as an enemy on American soil, justice must be more than an apology. It must carry a price” [1]. The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) also supports the legislation [1].

## What we could not confirm

We could not confirm specific statements from Republican members of Congress regarding this bill or details of the opposition it faces beyond its referral to a Republican-controlled committee [1][8]. We also could not confirm any direct comments from President Trump on the legislation.

## Evidence cited
1. Citing ProPublica, Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Help U.S. Citizens Sue ICE for Wrongful Detentions (www.propublica.org) — https://www.propublica.org/article/american-citizens-wrongfully-detained-ice-bill
2. Severely ill ICE detainees face imminent deportation to unknown African states, advocates say (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/21/ice-detention-illness-deportation-florida
3. How will Trump’s mass deportation agenda shape the US midterm elections? Your questions answered (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/oct/21/immigration-ice-mass-deportation-trump-midterm-elections
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29. (October 18 2026) "Assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and felony," the DHS spokesperson continued. "Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This violence against law enforcement must end. ICE respects the First Amendment rights of individuals to observe and express themselves. However, if such actions interfere with or obstruct our operations, ICE will take necessary steps to address the situation. Obstructing law enforcemen (newsweek.com) — https://newsweek.com/
30. (October 19 2026) The legislation would also take back any unspent Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding from President Donald Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Leger Fernández's bill was introduced with co-sponsor Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat. Why It Matters: It can be difficult to sue federal officers for wrongful arrests or excessive force, or for local prosecutors to bring charges. Federal agents can claim immunity in response to civil lawsuits or to st (propublica.org) — https://propublica.org/
31. The second presidency of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States began with his second inauguration on January 20, 2025. Trump, who previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021, took office following his victory over Democratic vice president Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Second presidency of Donald Trump. January 20, 2025 – present. Vice President · JD Vance. Cabinet, Full list. Party, Republican. Election, 2024. Seat, White House. ← Joe Biden •.  (wikipedia.org) — https://wikipedia.org/
32. Donald John Trump (b. June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York) is the 47th and 45th president of the United States. Trump served his first term from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, and began his second term on January 20, 2025. Before holding public office, Trump owned the Trump Organization, a conglomerate dealing in real estate and other industries, and hosted The Apprentice on NBC. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election, and was then defeated by Joe Biden (D) i (ballotpedia.org) — https://ballotpedia.org/
33. Trump. Official Portrait of President Donald J. Trump Official Portrait of President Donald J. Trump. Donald J. Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York to parents Fred and Mary Trump. He has three older siblings and one younger brother. Trump attended the New York Military Academy and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. Following in ... In 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Trump for a second time for inciting an ins (trumplibrary.gov) — https://trumplibrary.gov/
34. (October 19 2026) 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 ... T (genocidewatch.com) — https://genocidewatch.com/
35. (October 20 2026) It is called the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico formally introduced it in the House on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. The bill would create a route for citizens seeking compensation when immigration enforcement officers detain them unlawfully. Its provisions would apply to conduct occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2025. Democratic Party sign rests on an American flag. Shutterstock. Who is behind it. New Mexico ... (wheninyourstate.com) — https://wheninyourstate.com/
36. (October 19 2026) It would cover arrests and detentions carried out on or after January 20, 2025. In addition to the damages promised, successful plaintiffs could also recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, along with appropriate injunctive or declaratory relief. Lawsuits under the bill could be filed within up to five years after the cause of action accrued. Any damages awarded under the legislation would be in addition to compensation the plaintiff could receive under another provision  (knewz.com) — https://knewz.com/
37. (October 15 2026) H.R. 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act ... This bill would create a way for U.S. citizens to sue immigration officers, or other law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws, if they are arrested or detained without a warrant or without probable cause on or after January 20, 2025.
...
(October 15 2026) 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. This bill would create a way for U.S. citizens to sue immigration officers, or other la (quiverquant.com) — https://quiverquant.com/
38. (October 16 2026) 10826 (IH) - Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. ... Y 1.6: Y 1.4/6: Congress Number. 119th Congress. ... To establish a private right of action for citizens of the United States who are arrested or detained by immigration officers or law enforcement officers enforcing the immigration laws without a warrant or probable cause, and for other purposes.
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(October 16 2026) Congress Number: 119th Congress. Congress Session: 2nd Session. Last Action Date Listed: Oc (govinfo.gov) — https://govinfo.gov/
39. Early access: 15,766 bills from the current Congress so far, more added daily. Data from Congress.gov, GovInfo and the House and Senate vote records, updated Oct 18, 2026. PLT ...
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H.R. 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act — plain English summary · Public Law Tracker.
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 H.R. 10826 · Where this bill is now 
 
  * ✓IntroducedOct 15.  
  * HouseNow.  
  * Senate.  
  * President.  
  * Law.  
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Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest o (publiclawtracker.com) — https://publiclawtracker.com/
40. (October 15 2026) ←civics.gg/H.R. 10826. Sign inSign up. H.R. 10826·FederalIn CommitteeImmigration. Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. Sponsored by Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM)Introduced October 15, 2026Read full text ↗ Sign in to save. Bill Text Legislative History. [Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10826 Introduced in House (IH)]. <DOC>. 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10826. To establish a private right of (civics.gg) — https://civics.gg/
41. (October 15 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act to make sure American citizens wrongfully arrested or detained by immigration enforcement officers can fight back in court. Her legislation would prevent individual officers and the government from claiming qualified or sovereign immunity to avoid accountability and give individuals five years to sue. It would also require courts to award successful plaintiff (house.gov) — https://house.gov/
42. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) understands that access to quality public education is a right, not a privilege, and is essential for lifelong success. Therefore, LULAC stands firmly against any policy or measure that attempts to deny this right, including those affecting immigrant children. Read More. Advocacy. Immigration. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is strongly advocating for bipartisan comprehensive and humanitarian immigration reform legislation (lulac.org) — https://lulac.org/
43. (October 15 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act to make sure American ... (targetednews.com) — https://targetednews.com/
44. (October 20 2026) U.S. citizens are being stopped and held by immigration agents. When it turns out they never should have been detained, the road to justice is steep. Congress can change that by passing the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico introduced the bill this month. It now sits with the House Judiciary Committee. It would let any U.S. citizen arrested or held by immigration officers with no warrant and no probable cause since Ja (change.org) — https://change.org/
45. (October 15 2026) Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. 10/15/2026 • House. Summary. Congress.gov has not published an official summary of this bill yet ... (civdotiq.org) — https://civdotiq.org/
46. (October 20 2026) The legislation follows a ProPublica investigation documenting immigration agents reportedly detaining 506 US citizens between January 2025 and September 2026. Those cases are not necessarily 506 unlawful detentions, and not everyone identified would automatically qualify for an award. The Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act, designated H.R. 10826, has not become law. When introduced, it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, leaving the proposed payouts (ibtimes.co.uk) — https://ibtimes.co.uk/
47. (October 06 2026) The Trump administration has detained more than 500 U.S. citizens since it began its mass deportation initiative, a ProPublica investigation has found. Trump officials have insisted that U.S. citizens are not at risk under the president's agenda. “We have said it a million times: ICE does NOT arrest or deport U.S. citizens,” former DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement last October. But that was a lie. A ProPublica story published Tuesday tracked every i (newrepublic.com) — https://newrepublic.com/
48. (October 20 2026) We recently reported that more than 500 American citizens have been detained by immigration agents. Now House members are moving to make it easier for those detained to seek justice through the courts. This story was originally published by ProPublica. October 20, 2026 - By Nicole Foy - What Happened: A New Mexico Democrat in the House introduced a bill last Mullin Official week that would make it easier for U.S. citizens to sue immigration agents and the federal government ove (goldrushcam.com) — https://goldrushcam.com/
49. (October 06 2026) Citizens Have Been Detained in Trump's Immigration Crackdown. ... ProPublica reports that its review identified 506 U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents since the start of the Trump Administration, including more than 100 citizens questioned about their citizenship, at least 70 children and teens, and 36 citizens held for at least a day without being able to contact a lawyer or family. The investigation documents incidents involving citizenship-related detentions, use o (ailc.com) — https://ailc.com/
50. (October 07 2026) Citizens Have Been Detained by ICE. ... According to a ProPublica report, 506 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents during the Trump administration. More than 100 Americans were held after agents questioned their citizenship — nearly all were people of color. At least 70 American children and teens were detained, some of whom were handcuffed. Thirty-six Americans were held for at least a day without being able to contact a lawyer or their family. And roughly a  (democracynow.org) — https://democracynow.org/
51. (October 18 2026) Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act on October 15 and referred it to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill creates a cause of action for U.S. citizens detained by ICE—or any law-enforcement officer enforcing immigration laws—without a warrant or probable cause on or after January 20, 2025. It mandates a minimum award of $500,000, plus $100,000 for each additional day of detention, attorney's fees, and injunct (drooid.social) — https://drooid.social/
52. (October 18 2026) 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  (newsweek.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQECgNU38AQZgZDlDgWTT0qIcYtPJAvHjJdBTlhJPrBTLLY9Y_X8FyYRKNFuCwPZaS4hAvElDih_J1eRsQCo99saU1VzxJEwAA7juzBKd1XYdYt_FmTSFbgZ7iOqVX6T6U9Xigya_xA6ExiD3sZ5K04ZTIMXBZcKKCe7-p6dZlZzikT-GiA-6kr0ZUUyZSa7ftGXSNyDHILtYcFQ94MdXDOZEb8=
53. (October 15 2026) We support the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act because the Constitution is not a privilege granted by a badge, and when the government treats an American citizen as an enemy on American soil, justice must be more than an apology. It must carry a price,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and National Board Chair.
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(October 15 2026) Give American citizens a path to justice if immigration officers or other officers enforcing immigration laws arr (house.gov) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG2ysEu-GEOPYedNxeYWLgBTqtqW-SaM3AeqnZUr16MwRJwdyVpgcmJsbgNVASZrpadT0Usjy5kLL3_rqGDz8bm3-jOfXye7JLepn95w7GTiJH0fqqB6tI5QzYGg_dWeOopegVKj0Ev6gfcsL_3TT_exw8yAzHkNZIrQPBZvAI=
54. (October 19 2026) 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  (genocidewatch.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGoaGcegmYl_EGgZwlBy2NnXdNpUfw1EmEKvjAAfZNedHjhQut-sNk-lCZUsvU2DJgyDY9iTWzNIDa0kHS5L8p_qGiGk-C3062uJJo_Po9QBSDFDGgWL26vTZYiXgFoOBhpjkuVsGcWafg_RGHogc16gq4PdNqvgBk8ec2LFjy_bUEpOQ3mOYWRyk6uvW7lcSYJMKM0qxsaRPPbXUhN34NfIQYH4fIOTElU
55. (October 18 2026) Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act on October 15 and referred it to the House Judiciary Committee. The bill creates a cause of action for U.S. citizens detained by ICE—or any law-enforcement officer enforcing immigration laws—without a warrant or probable cause on or after January 20, 2025. It mandates a minimum award of $500,000, plus $100,000 for each additional day of detention, attorney's fees, and injunct (drooid.social) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHHhsH2Y3zJzR7F6mH_KU8s8F4qViL8twB3utfBRVdv9yxJ1_OpBP-SsRjkw_93d_FyyH72EKvkD-w8uxiX45bXIYi6pcVjAcoR8mLyTU5hSW55KBMDXOzKNJORUVtqBBNiY--lax_EUuaIeh3EyGcnKFaZI62bQh2klvjXJ_ACj2Yx0njk_HLx6hFQ-e_-kje7ZgzH5HdxjdPjnLXi4MM=
56. (October 19 2026) U.S. citizens wrongfully arrested or detained by immigration officers could receive at least $500,000 in damages, with an additional $100,000 for every day they remain in custody beyond the first, under legislation introduced by Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico. The Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act would create a specific cause of action for citizens when immigration officers, or other law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws, a (knewz.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEqT37Izmwfj9ai1Y3fzOd_DcVIeC89MNe0ShmCLF_MTQrtwFpBW8UKuuSH-jHVEFw9R_dv4SE0ARHXx4o7PzsxfuEcCg1Q4pX_SoG489m1zCojIW3EK6VKS0mByfrhsusKXXuUef8ytJ6sfSrPCx0NnY5vW2Ijy6JyqwHan1uyHSYVvcEBcen9lMHMEvY7eoXLWcI8Cl5lRnH9GxcjV18Y2Za8hTytvw==
57. The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States took place on Monday, January 20, 2025. ... It was the second re-inauguration for a former U.S. president, after the second inauguration of Grover Cleveland in 1893. Trump's first inauguration was eight years earlier, on January 20, 2017. (wikipedia.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHJcLtc-0q4t9ohmmYjcn7KA-GcsXOaF14Tu5NU1rFMsb9xUtCkeyHjH4rZSMFgjwOfYuxRgTYc5uvGf6jHiWmTeVprJBU21_a1VKKqQiU8BUNzv4O9v54MA-wXivKQIt0EBJEeHCDl0Tyfdcz222uL71K9L7wnOaO45P7p
58. Trump takes the oath as 47th President of the United States of America in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Date, President, Location. January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump ... (aoc.gov) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEPZLxMrd08RKBt3dWbK3JUjA7MlCdIUjHAzCTjcydZRfyPRw9WsNkaMNDSh6PR35dzkwoeTxVAEA6IaMGYfm5oQZxU-Exh3xSNDcvHrRkZCQKmiRflIQ5jEbM5zSXhdHZBxwHFe4w-qs4rnx2BoEEwE3EJfplAyDqjCw==
59. You will have the opportunity to witness our nation's history as President Trump is sworn in for his second term and delivers his inaugural address! While Congressman Zinke's office is no longer accepting requests for tickets, you can still witness this historic event from the designated public viewing areas on the National Mall. Below you will find basic information about the events and a map of the designated seating and standing areas. Additional standing room will be available on the Nationa (house.gov) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHfEHJRrXgrHbxAOEwgLm1pU3XRKl0qH9A3xvampFhxbbzKSwJMbYzhC5ykrLYdOnzBL0Epnjr4fB7jAhBoYCGtkn4xNFubCp7wG58pghj6wJN1L4QuxBZk9fL5pBLaSF9kcBCpnA==
60. (January 20 2025) Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday at the US Capitol. (cnn.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFNSmBYn3Ni2EpuSJQZpx1kbgbBPn4O3sWo7wsbROyeIhSGmbdMZ-7oOTFTDOazheGJIwMYGeNOEEAIReX4Nh80IumSo3zg6Mt9TOnZ7R_h5aHLnzKKEhyQHLtJI9EpSIWZ0whKWfvwGKokwB-UgDsoMt3LoQ17PGmUb94u
61. (January 20 2025) ... (R) and Argentina's President Javier Milei (C) attend Donald Trump's inauguration as the next President of the United States in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025. Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris, is being sworn in today as the 47th president of the United States, though the planned outdoor ceremonies and events have been cancelled due to a forecast of extreme cold temperatures. SHAWN THEW/POOL/Pool via REUTERS. Pence and the  (pbs.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQETrUQt2Z_Fz2tJm7k0C42I_VLBO7VSvJMuI5tFlt7v2wwdCEEYo7ms-bJdOpYCyKuTmTLicrobS6rnre2_wWYvkVRpoJD7myl1q99Y8RHZEhvddG2xQxtF383wyV0m8EgKXhUdLzm0qnDBvpk5-vVds_C1fk_2n2HVIRZmPRSy6mMMh9ck6lJIGfBWmpj7LLIB
62. (October 15 2026) 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act. This bill would create a way for U.S. citizens to sue immigration officers, or other law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws, if they are arrested or detained without a warrant or without probable cause on or after January 20, 2025. What a person could recover. If a court rules in the person's favor, the bill would require the court to award: $500,000 in damages, plus; $100,000 for each day the person was . (quiverquant.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFhVvAK52Nu53qo4NpbEAsvbRUYwB6wuKbn4CXKJmfvAL7l22G7CR-rO_3Ois0HDzrbFTosumT--vfcXyxHWg8e5310PYrv92m-sjqOuK4GZ_K4Vg8BpcHhXJoZb8AM7P4Rc_BRJEAbKOA=
63. (October 15 2026) Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act (H.R. 10826). Referred to Committee. Introduced 10/15/2026•119th Congress•House. Congress.gov. Share. Latest Action. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. 10/15/2026 • House ... Congressional Votes (0). No recorded votes yet. Roll call votes will appear here as the bill moves through Congress. Related Federal Spending. Failed to load spending data. Spending connections are derived from bill policy areas and committ (civdotiq.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEvUwn1b5ig--lT2mgU4vKixsG1vFW7HBbcQ5xH5iyuz-2jsLyD-M_ZssBt8NSGF7w8ZXyf33XEDmoS47gbxejYJtNi06CY7cogPRO8qE6XjMiRWHS-tIJi4gaW3cXc8WCN
64. Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Plain-English summary of H.R. 10826, every House and Senate vote, and the full text.
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Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 15, 2026: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”
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 H.R. 10826 · Where this bill is now 
 
  * ✓IntroducedOct 15.  
  * HouseNow.  
  * Senate.  
  * President.  
  * Law.  
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H.R. 10826: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE (publiclawtracker.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeQX08jvTtKHBpsBHECnyT0q1rMkRK0ey9MvBPSFQCtnG2n5VSsgOBpSLhnbf_yphvOhColBJ0FWSdxzxnvW0DBujJTHhMdEhPcvsJc6e376ajesZ4rYaQToAVSaAU8T183tBPNYBRYpa-
65. (October 16 2026) Congress Number: 119th Congress. Congress Session: 2nd Session. Last Action Date Listed: October 15, 2026. Action: Ms. Leger Fernandez (for herself and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Number: H.R. 10826. Bill Version: Introduced in House (IH). Short Title: Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act ; Congress Number: 119th Congress. Congress Session: 2nd Session. Last Action Date Listed: Oct (govinfo.gov) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFiA0QOvHjVmeMpR4ku-3T8pY8MIbHXGbBMJSB623oNvBo5qmxn3M2Rj26oF4hVRPaLyuviJgrUVGd7BVfnW8rx6p3iGfmaf5wCwKZ3JdLrhyFwWlvFrEQj1cLyl74rBACEKefe0yhhy4LRza6SGphqcg==
66. (October 22 2026) The original investigation, published by ProPublica at the beginning of the month, identified 506 American citizens detained by federal agents between January 2025 and September 2026. The count includes individuals who were handcuffed for a few minutes as well as citizens who spent several days in custody. It also includes arrests made by various federal agencies involved in immigration operations, so not all cases pertain exclusively to ICE agents. ... On October 19, ProPublic (cibercuba.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGtBayTbzkuLL_LiFDWR7AyBHRQhuSFpq9RwppIHm3wDhmtNrIUre6h3ueoXnCkrGRgMvJhhK-LdB82WpLJD6N0IS0MsK1eDVapCZDBxdjdI4AcmOxE3gMTOd5zEjxVOmSJsNM9Z6hH850xNFX24EH-Wbhc3iNMNXpKLKgk7eMqXpXLbP
67. (October 07 2026) According to a ProPublica report, 506 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents during the Trump administration. More than 100 Americans were held after agents questioned their citizenship — nearly all were people of color. At least 70 American children and teens were detained, some of whom were handcuffed. Thirty-six Americans were held for at least a day without being able to contact a lawyer or their family. And roughly a dozen citizens were deported, mostly chi (democracynow.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQH69qfyEjZ8n-qr19zS8aJLdxgInqKimyzjeaKCpORTPDMSomFpbeb4SxNTd5TY7BCFSM2NQKTkqWgAoHzVboKaQqKOeXCcubzIV0s4hSmW7FfprWTMpK63rbMcYZyZsDjQf7jYoRIwZ_oNDsoHXWpnzaft0oZxov8-LFhwqhXLDY_jx6aMZRaeLQn5yE-ZSffmpuc4rMrbTgfV32KUbW0o
68. (October 19 2026) The legislation would also take back any unspent Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding from President Donald Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Leger Fernández's bill was introduced with co-sponsor Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat. Why It Matters: It can be difficult to sue federal officers for wrongful arrests or excessive force, or for local prosecutors to bring charges.
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(October 19 2026) Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández credited ProPublica's  (propublica.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQERNIZKKK8Hc78zt623ipBGZ-L-AO1vJCoaPhpOhZCrlpgUPh0iGFKhiIE1Eb6JVCRpgCqZ2fK3zBEXdDA7NVH2-dSZ18Pl8IcSr3wJ2JK7-5pf-_v2DMWlsXWZysGeIZucqb23-pgoTci4uqRFvuPCCCoUkChepnenoXWqBoHU3Ih1ROsDe-ak1k3vBw==
69. (October 20 2026) What would the Justice for Citizens Wrongfully Detained by ICE Act do? As described by Leger Fernández, the measure would scale back the legal shields that currently protect agents and the federal government from being sued, guarantee a floor for damages awarded to victorious plaintiffs, lengthen the time people have to file such cases, and claw back ICE money that remains unspent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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(October 20 2026) Under the proposed measure, according  (story-coast.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQElTTa3bEqCGajdyW9BI7-bVhOyqQLnxbejlblJd1YcbcC2i9vaIwnhb2Mp6mrkMOWurfK8CiVsl_ikobJ3a21zo0t_lClJq7m7PD1LmYwltO_nSXzSz0MAdOJyMGJZGb7gTVfg40ltKsgy3AL0ApXAFM_G73Q_jnVgtyRTjHsjbYTXvtXbgGs
70. (October 06 2026)  506 U.S. Citizens Detained 
 
  * More than a hundred Americans held after agents questioned their citizenship.   Nearly all were people of color.  
  * At least 70 American children and teens detained, some of whom were handcuffed.  
  * Of the more than 300 Americans we tracked as detained for allegedly assaulting or obstructing agents, we found fewer than half were actually charged in federal court, and many of those cases were dropped or dismissed.  
  * At least 63 Americ (propublica.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHnoucyhvrcJS8ZS7RpMtXa-2GZfZkZbDHb4nPkFU3w30Fu2zwhFCiIhZmirerND_-ca0ZdZYMWbbfLr9VM-hqDRbzcUljXpAkXzonw4sSjLMeWBkIW2Fd-PNdDrSFZvcuv3sd9w6OCSkLaKOJ1iOQkUQkUZhwK7P5VQtJjGwvr4x8cC3bcMGQ=