Bill > HR2203

Introduced Session

To increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement within the Department of Homeland Security, provide independent oversight of border security activities, improve training for agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes. This bill establishes the position of Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The ombudsman shall establish an independent, neutral, and standardized process to assist individuals in resolving complaints related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and related entities; make recommendations to DHS to address chronic issues identified in the complaints process; establish a Border Oversight Panel, which shall make recommendations related to border enforcement policies and strategies; review ICE and CBP compliance with departmental policies and standards of care for detained aliens; establish a Border Community Liaison in each Border Patrol sector on the northern and southern borders, which shall consult with and receive feedback from border communities on ICE and CBP policies and activities; conduct yearly evaluations of training for ICE and CBP agents and officers, including whether such training adequately addresses the use of force and civil rights issues; develop recommendations for establishing an electronic number system for tracking a child that has been separated from a parent, legal guardian, or relative; and report to Congress a plan to require the use of body-worn cameras by Border Patrol agents and ICE officers.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Veronica Escobar (D)*,  Nanette Barragán (D),  Salud Carbajal (D),  Joaquin Castro (D),  Gil Cisneros (D),  Lou Correa (D),  Anna Eshoo (D),  Adriano Espaillat (D),  Sylvia Garcia (D),  Jim Himes (D),  Sheila Jackson-Lee (D),  Ro Khanna (D),  Derek Kilmer (D),  Ann Kuster (D),  Mike Levin (D),  Ben Ray Luján (D),  Doris Matsui (D),  Betty McCollum (D),  Jim McGovern (D),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),  Chris Pappas (D),  Greg Stanton (D),  Tom Suozzi (D),  David Trone (D),  Lauren Underwood (D),  Juan Vargas (D),  Marc Veasey (D),  Filemón Vela (D),  Bonnie Watson Coleman (D), 

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (on 09/26/2019)

Official Document