Vasquez Secures Key CHC Endorsement for Immigration Oversight Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced the endorsement of H.R. 3473, the Humane Accountability Act, by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), strengthening support for legislation that aims to bring transparency, oversight, and accountability to the U.S. immigration system. 

“I’m proud to have the support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus behind this important legislation,” said Vasquez. “For families in southern New Mexico, immigration isn’t a talking point — it’s personal. Our communities believe in safety, fairness, and treating every person with dignity. The Humane Accountability Act ensures no one, especially not the American government, can operate in the shadows, and it holds those in power accountable when immigrant detainees’ basic rights are violated.”

Vasquez re-introduced the bill, which was previously introduced in the 118th Congress, earlier this year with key updates. The new version of the bill is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as well as the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and garnered broad support from leading New Mexico-based civil rights and immigration organizations, including the Center for Civic Policy, El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, and NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fe.

The legislation includes three new provisions to address growing immigration concerns:

• Transparency on Detention and Removal: DHS would be required to provide Congress with specific data on all encounters, detentions, and removals that have occurred since January, including the legal authority for removals and any transfers to detention centers located outside the territorial U.S.
• Oversight of Detention Conditions: The bill mandates comprehensive reporting on abuses, deaths, injuries, lack of legal access, enforcement in sensitive locations, and the whereabouts of individuals in custody. 
• Notification for Non-Traditional Detention Sites: DHS would be required to notify Congress before using any non-traditional site, such as military installations, Tribal lands, or locations outside the territorial lands, for immigrant detention. 

As an advocate for border security and immigration policy that respects constitutional rights and reflects the values of border communities, Vasquez reaffirmed his commitment to working with federal and local officials to increase transparency, ensure humane treatment in detention, and protect due process for all individuals regardless of immigration status.

###