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Public witness tells committee detainers are detaining non-criminals as bill would require 48‑hour holds
Summary
HB 20‑18 would require law enforcement to hold a subject for a full 48 hours when an immigration detainer exists; a public witness testified the policy is detaining people without criminal records and financial reimbursements are uncertain. Committee moved the bill to calendar and rules (16–6).
Leader Cochran presented HB 20‑18 to require that when a law enforcement agency finds an immigration detainer for a subject, the agency hold the subject for the entire 48‑hour detainer period.
The committee heard public testimony from Ashley Warbington, who opposed the bill. "Every day, individuals with no criminal record are being detained in the streets and inside the courthouses... Mothers are being taken from their children, including those breastfeeding and caring for infants," Warbington said, arguing that enforcement practice on the ground does not match the administration's public narrative that detainers target the most dangerous offenders. She also raised fiscal concerns, noting that federal reimbursement in announcements is conditional: the language uses 'may' and memoranda of agreement often place operational costs on local agencies.
Committee members asked follow‑up questions about observed local practice and whether collaboration with ICE makes communities safer. Representative Salinas asked whether collaboration with ICE improves safety; Warbington replied it does not. After debate and a previous‑question call, the clerk recorded 16 ayes and 6 nos and the bill moved to calendar and rules. The committee did not resolve the broader questions about fiscal risk; several members said they would continue to scrutinize fiscal notes during further consideration.
