U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) has announced his support for two legislative measures aimed at increasing oversight of federal immigration enforcement. The bills, known as the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act and the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, are designed to address concerns over excessive force and protect sensitive locations from immigration actions.
“Federal immigration agents must be held to the same constitutional standards as every other law enforcement officer. These common-sense bills allow for effective enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws, while taking concrete steps to end abuse, overreach, and chaos,” Stanton said.
The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act (H.R. 5973) seeks to limit the use of crowd control devices such as tear gas by federal immigration agents. The legislation would require that enforcement practices follow Department of Justice standards on use of force, allowing force only when no effective or safe alternative exists. It also calls for mandatory use of body and vehicle cameras during operations and restricts the use of masks and non-identifying uniforms except in cases involving national security or public safety threats.
Other provisions include requirements for proportional use of force, de-escalation training, protections for individuals engaged in activities protected under the First Amendment, pre-notification to local law enforcement about operations in their jurisdictions, and a prohibition on federal agents wearing uniforms labeled “police” to prevent confusion.
The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061) would restore previous Department of Homeland Security policies that limited arrests at places such as schools, hospitals, food pantries, churches, and domestic violence shelters. The bill expands these protections to additional facilities like courthouses and certain healthcare, educational, and religious sites.
Stanton serves as Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Immigration and Border Security Working Group. In August 2025, this group released an Immigration and Border Security Framework that includes recommendations for modernizing border security technology and processes while proposing reforms intended to streamline legal pathways to citizenship.
Greg Stanton was re-elected in both 2022 and 2024 after defeating Kelly Cooper in each general election. In 2024 he won with approximately 52.7% of the vote compared to Cooper’s 45.5%. In 2022 he received about 56% against Cooper’s 43.1%.
More information is available at https://stanton.house.gov/2026/1/stanton-backs-bills-to-restrict-excessive-use-of-force-by-immigration-agents-safeguard-sensitive-locations-in-immigration-actions
