Sponsor
Shri Thanedar
Representative · D-MI
Representative · D-MI
The bill reduces detainees’ commissary costs and increases transparency and consumer protections, but risks disrupting commissary services, raising agency administrative costs, and leaving some individuals without direct refunds.
Immigrants and low-income detainees will pay lower out-of-pocket costs because prices for essential commissary items are capped at a 5% markup.
Detainees and the public gain greater oversight and transparency through regular DHS OIG audits and ICE reporting every 90 days on commissary pricing and compliance.
Immigrants are protected from hidden charges because the bill prohibits extra transaction fees and kickbacks for commissary services.
Immigrants and some facility contractors may lose commissary revenue from the 5% cap, which could lead to reduced service availability, contract terminations, or disruptions in access to needed goods.
ICE and DHS will face increased administrative burden (refund processing, frequent reporting, and responding to audits), raising agency costs and potentially diverting resources from other functions.
Some detainees may not receive individual refunds they are owed if transfers or removals prevent direct repayment and funds are redirected to the Detainee Welfare Fund.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Limits commissary markups in immigration detention, bans fees and revenue-sharing, requires refunds or transfer to a restricted Detainee Welfare Fund, and increases oversight and reporting.
Official title: To impose a cap on the price of items sold at the immigration detention facility commissary, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 13, 2026 by Shri Thanedar · Last progress August 13, 2026
Caps commissary markups at immigration detention facilities, banning excessive fees and revenue-sharing and requiring refunds or transfers of unrefunded amounts to a restricted Detainee Welfare Fund. Gives ICE enforcement powers, requires DHS Inspector General audits and recurring reports to congressional homeland security committees, and preserves stricter state or contractual protections.