Bill to require judicial warrants before certain ICE enforcement actions fails on tie in committee

Representative Feist told the House Judiciary Committee on March 10 that House File 3483 would require judicial warrants before civil immigration enforcement officers may enter private homes, domestic violence shelters, schools, or school buses and would codify the Esparza decision holding that local agencies may not detain people solely on the basis of ICE detainers.

Feist said community members reported incidents in which federal officers entered homes without judicial warrants and described the bill as protecting Fourth Amendment rights. John Bealer, testifying in support, argued administrative warrants are a post‑1950s construct and said warrantless entries into homes and schools raise core constitutional concerns. Bealer and Feist both said the bill would not affect lawful transfers while individuals remain in custody but would prevent honoring detainers that seek additional post‑custody holds without a judicial warrant.

Representative Hudson requested a roll call; the recorded vote split 7‑7 and the bill did not advance from committee.

What’s next: The bill failed to move out of committee on a tie vote; proponents said they would continue outreach to colleagues and stakeholders about constitutional protections and operational implications for local law enforcement.