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SB 2278

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DETENTION FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would bar state and local governments from entering into or renewing agreements or leases that facilitate detaining individuals for federal civil immigration violation

05/05/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2278

Bill Summary: SB 2278 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — DETENTION FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

Purpose and Intent

The bill would prohibit state and municipal officials and their agencies from entering into, renewing, or otherwise participating in contracts or agreements that are used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. It also would require the termination of existing agreements that could be used for such detention and would bar leasing public real estate for use as immigration detention facilities.

Key Provisions

  1. Prohibition on detention-related agreements (42-169-2(a))

    • No state or municipal government official or body, or any instrumentality or agency, may enter into, renew, or be a party to:
      • Contracts or intergovernmental services agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations.
      • Leases or other agreements that facilitate the use of public real property to detain and relocate individuals for federal civil immigration violations.

  2. Mandatory termination of existing detention arrangements (42-169-2(b))

    • Any state or local government entity that is party to an existing agreement used or that will be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations must exercise the termination provisions of that agreement as it applies to detainees for federal civil immigration violations.
    • The required termination must occur no later than July 1, 2026.

  3. Severability (42-169-3)

    • If any part of the chapter is struck down as unconstitutional, the rest of the chapter remains in effect.

  4. Effective date (Section 2)

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected Entities

  • Rhode Island state agencies and departments
  • Rhode Island municipalities and their elected officials
  • Public instrumentalities and agencies of the state and local governments
  • Any current intergovernmental services agreements, lease agreements, or other arrangements that could be used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • Introduction: January 23, 2026
  • Referral: Senate Judiciary
  • Proposed enforcement date for terminating existing detention agreements: by July 1, 2026
  • Effective date: Upon passage of the act
  • Current status: Scheduled for hearing/consideration as of May 1, 2026

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Policy Impact: The bill effectively prohibits Rhode Island public authorities from participating in or enabling federal immigrant detention through contracts, leases, or intergovernmental agreements. It signals a shift away from any form of state or local involvement in detaining individuals for federal civil immigration enforcement.
  • Property Use: Public real estate could not be leased or used to operate immigration detention facilities.
  • Implementation: Entities with existing detention-related arrangements would need to review and terminate those agreements by the stated deadline (July 1, 2026).
  • Legal Considerations: The severability clause ensures that any challenged provision would not automatically invalidate the entire chapter.
  • Scope: The act targets "federal civil immigration violations," focusing on detention rather than enforcement actions at the border or internal policing.

Bottom Line

SB 2278 would bar Rhode Island state and local governments from engaging in or maintaining any agreements that facilitate the detention of individuals for federal civil immigration violations, including through real estate leases. It also mandates the winding down of any such arrangements by mid-2026, and it clarifies that the rest of the act would remain in effect if any part is struck down.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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