I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2203 
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 Cus-
toms Enforcement, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2019 
Ms. ESCOBAR (for herself, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Mr. ESPAILLAT, and Ms. 
GARCIA of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on 
the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To increase transparency, accountability, and community en-
gagement within the Department of Homeland Security, 
provide independent oversight of border security activi-
ties, improve training for agents and officers of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Homeland Security 
Improvement Act’’. 
SEC. 2. STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. 
(a) DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BORDER 
OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an 
independent commission, which shall be known as 
the ‘‘Department of Homeland Security Border 
Oversight Commission’’ (in this Act referred to as 
the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(2) ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) LEADERSHIP.—The Commission shall 
be led by a Chair and Vice Chair. 
(B) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 30 members, rec-
ommended by Congress, in consultation 
with the President, who have expertise in 
migration, local crime indices, civil and 
human rights, community relations, cross- 
border trade and commerce, quality of life 
indicators, or other pertinent experience, of 
whom— 
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(I) 13 members shall be from the 
northern border region and shall in-
clude— 
(aa) two local government 
elected officials; 
(bb) two local law enforce-
ment officials; 
(cc) two civil rights advo-
cates; 
(dd) one business represent-
ative; 
(ee) one higher education 
representative; 
(ff) one representative of a 
faith community; 
(gg) two representatives of 
the U.S. Border Patrol; and 
(hh) two tribal officials; and 
(II) 17 members shall be from 
the southern border region and shall 
include— 
(aa) three local government 
elected officials; 
(bb) three local law enforce-
ment officials; 
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(cc) three civil rights advo-
cates; 
(dd) two business represent-
atives; 
(ee) one higher education 
representative; 
(ff) one representative of a 
faith community; 
(gg) two representatives of 
the U.S. Border Patrol; and 
(hh) two tribal officials. 
(ii) CHAIR, VICE CHAIR.—The mem-
bers of the Commission shall elect a Chair 
and a Vice Chair from among its members 
by a majority vote of at least 16 members. 
(iii) TERMS OF SERVICE.—The Chair 
and Vice Chair of the Commission shall 
serve for terms of four years. Members of 
the Commission shall serve for terms of 
four years. 
(iv) APPOINTMENT DEADLINE.—Mem-
bers of the Commission shall be appointed 
not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(3) MEETINGS.— 
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(A) COMMISSION.—The Commission shall 
meet at least semiannually, and may convene 
additional meetings as necessary. 
(B) SUBCOMMITTEES.—The northern bor-
der and southern border subcommittees shall 
meet at least quarterly, and may convene addi-
tional meetings as necessary. 
(4) DUTIES.—The Commission, and the north-
ern border and southern border subcommittees, 
shall— 
(A) develop recommendations for improve-
ments regarding border enforcement policies, 
strategies, and programs that take into consid-
eration their impact on border communities; 
(B) evaluate policies, strategies, and pro-
grams of Federal agencies operating along the 
northern and southern borders to— 
(i) protect— 
(I) due process; 
(II) the civil and human rights of 
border residents and visitors; and 
(III) private property rights of 
land owners; 
(ii) reduce the number of migrant 
deaths; and 
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(iii) improve the safety of agents and 
officers of U.S. Customs and Border Pro-
tection and U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement; 
(C) develop recommendations for improve-
ments regarding the safety of agents and offi-
cers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-
ment when such agents and officers are in the 
field; and 
(D) evaluate training, including estab-
lishing training courses related to management 
and leadership skills for supervisors in each 
U.S. Border Patrol sector, at each port of entry 
on the northern and southern borders, and at 
each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-
ment field office and the extent to which super-
visory and management personnel practices at 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement encour-
age and facilitate workforce development for 
agents and officers, promote agent and officer 
field safety, and post-FLETC training of border 
enforcement personnel in accordance with sec-
tion 6. 
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(5) ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the du-
ties specified in paragraph (5), the Commission 
shall take into consideration any recommenda-
tions and evaluations agreed upon by the north-
ern border and southern border subcommittees. 
(B) 
SUBCOMMITTEE
REPORTS.—The 
northern border and southern border sub-
committees shall annually submit to the Chair 
and Vice Chair of the Commission a publicly 
available report containing the recommenda-
tions and evaluations of the subcommittees pur-
suant to paragraph (5). 
(6) PROHIBITION
ON
COMPENSATION.—Mem-
bers of the Commission and the northern border and 
southern border subcommittees may not receive pay, 
allowances, or benefits from the Government by rea-
son of their service on the Commission or the sub-
committees. 
(b) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—The Commission or, 
on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or 
member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this 
Act hold such hearings, and sit and act at such times and 
places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and ad-
minister such oaths as the Commission or such designated 
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subcommittee or designated member determines necessary 
to carry out its duties under subsection (a)(5). 
(c) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this Act may 
be construed as affecting in any manner the investigative 
and disciplinary procedures of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 
or the Department of Homeland Security with respect to 
agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Commission shall 
annually submit to the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity a publicly available report containing informa-
tion on the activities, findings, and recommendations 
of the Commission, including the northern border 
and southern border subcommittees, for the pre-
ceding year. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall brief the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary 
of the Senate on each report required under para-
graph (1). 
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SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDS-
MAN FOR BORDER AND IMMIGRATION RE-
LATED CONCERNS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 452 of the Homeland Se-
curity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 272) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 452. OMBUDSMAN FOR BORDER AND IMMIGRATION 
RELATED CONCERNS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be within the De-
partment an Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Re-
lated Concerns (in this section referred to as the ‘Ombuds-
man’). The individual appointed as Ombudsman shall have 
a background in immigration or civil liberties law or law 
enforcement. The Ombudsman shall report directly to the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(b) ORGANIZATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.—The Sec-
retary shall take appropriate action to ensure the inde-
pendence of the Ombudsman’s office from other officers 
or employees of the Department engaged in border secu-
rity or immigration activities. 
‘‘(c) STAFFING.—The Secretary shall take appro-
priate action to ensure that the Ombudsman’s office is 
sufficiently staffed and resourced to carry out its duties 
effectively and efficiently. 
‘‘(d) FUNCTIONS.—The functions of the Ombudsman 
shall be as follows: 
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‘‘(1) To establish an independent, neutral, and 
appropriately confidential process to receive, inves-
tigate, resolve, and provide redress, including immi-
gration relief, monetary damages, or any other ac-
tion determined appropriate, for complaints, griev-
ances, or requests for assistance from individuals, 
associations, and employers regarding the border se-
curity and immigration activities of the Department. 
‘‘(2) To conduct inspections of the facilities, in-
cluding privately-owned or operated contract facili-
ties, of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and United 
States Citizenship and Immigration Services. 
‘‘(3) To assist individuals and families who 
have been victims of crimes committed by aliens un-
lawfully present in the United States or of violence 
near the United States border, and individuals and 
families impacted by situations in which the Depart-
ment has exercised force against an individual, in-
cluding by use of a firearm, taser, explosive device, 
chemical agent, baton, projectile, blunt instrument, 
body part, canine, or vehicle. 
‘‘(4) To identify areas in which individuals, as-
sociations, and employers have identified concerns 
with respect to interacting with U.S. Customs and 
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Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement, or United States Citizenship and Im-
migration Services. 
‘‘(5) To propose changes in the administrative 
practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and 
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services 
to mitigate problems identified under this section. 
‘‘(6) To review, examine, and make rec-
ommendations regarding the border security and im-
migration and enforcement activities of U.S. Cus-
toms and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement, and United States Citizen-
ship and Immigration Services. 
‘‘(7) To establish a uniform and standardized 
complaint process regarding complaints against any 
individual employed by U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement for violations of standards of professional 
conduct. Such complaint process shall have the fol-
lowing components: 
‘‘(A) Require that all complaints receive an 
independent review and investigation completed 
not later than one year from the date of receipt 
of each such complaint. 
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‘‘(B) Require that complainants receive 
written confirmation of receipt of their com-
plaints not later than 60 days from the date of 
receipt of each such complaint, and a written 
summary regarding the outcome of such com-
plaints not later than 30 days after the review 
and investigation under subparagraph (A) is 
complete, including findings of fact, rec-
ommended action, and available redress. 
‘‘(C) Feature a centralized multilingual on-
line complaint form that includes street ad-
dress, toll-free telephone number, and electronic 
mailbox address to permit an individual to file 
an immigration or border-related complaint and 
submit supporting evidence through the portal 
of choice of any such individual. Multilingual 
information relating to such form shall be visi-
ble at ports of entry and at U.S. Border Patrol 
interior checkpoints. 
‘‘(D) Include procedures for referring com-
plaints to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil 
Liberties, Office of the Inspector General, or 
other appropriate agency of the Department. 
‘‘(E) Establish a publicly accessible na-
tional, standardized database capable of track-
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ing and analyzing complaints and their resolu-
tion. 
‘‘(F) Provide publicly accessible records, 
with copies of complaints, and their resolutions 
permanently preserved and available for inspec-
tion, while maintaining the confidentiality of 
complainants’ identities. 
‘‘(8) To establish an online detainee locator sys-
tem for individuals held in U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection custody. 
‘‘(e) OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.—In addition to the 
functions specified in subsection (d), the Ombudsman 
shall— 
‘‘(1) monitor the coverage and geographic allo-
cation of local offices of the Ombudsman, including 
appointing local ombudsmen for border and immi-
gration related concerns; 
‘‘(2) evaluate and take personnel actions (in-
cluding dismissal) with respect to any employee of 
the Ombudsman; 
‘‘(3) recommend disciplinary action, including 
contract termination, suspension, and debarment, or 
termination, suspension, and sanctions, to the appro-
priate departmental entity regarding any contractor 
proven to have violated departmental policies or pro-
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cedures while executing any border security or immi-
gration activity; 
‘‘(4) refer to the Inspector General of the De-
partment any complaints of the violation of depart-
mental policies or procedures by any Department 
employee relating to border security or immigration 
activity; and 
‘‘(5) provide a complainant with a summary of 
the outcome of any action taken in response to a 
complaint, grievance, or request for assistance from 
such complainant, including any findings of fact, 
recommended action, and available redress. 
‘‘(f) COMPLAINANTS.—The following shall apply to 
all complainants: 
‘‘(1) Any interested party, including a legal rep-
resentative, may file a complaint through the com-
plaint process established pursuant to subsection 
(d)(7). 
‘‘(2) Complainants and other individuals identi-
fied in a complaint shall be protected from retalia-
tory action by law enforcement or by any officer of 
the United States based on the content of such com-
plaint, and no information contained in a complaint 
that is germane to such complaint may be used as 
evidence in any removal or criminal proceedings 
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against the complainant or any individual identified 
in such complaint. 
‘‘(3) Neither the filing of a complaint nor the 
contents of a complaint shall in any way confer im-
munity or otherwise impact any removal or criminal 
proceedings against a complainant or an individual 
identified in such complaint. 
‘‘(4) No personally identifiable information re-
lated to an individual involved in a complaint which 
would result in identification of such individual may 
be published. 
‘‘(5) Complainants shall receive full assistance 
from the Department in filing complaints, including 
language assistance, accommodations for disabilities, 
and accurate and complete responses to their ques-
tions. 
‘‘(g) REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATIONS.—The Ombuds-
man is authorized to request the Inspector General of the 
Department to conduct inspections, investigations, and 
audits related to subsections (d), (e), and (f). 
‘‘(h) COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT COMPO-
NENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of United 
States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the As-
sistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs 
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Enforcement, and the Commissioner of U.S. Cus-
toms and Border Protection shall each establish pro-
cedures to provide formal responses to recommenda-
tions submitted to such officials by the Ombudsman 
within 60 days of receiving such recommendations. 
‘‘(2) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—The Secretary 
shall establish procedures to provide the Ombuds-
man access to all departmental records necessary to 
execute the responsibilities of the Ombudsman under 
subsection (d) or (e) not later than 60 days after a 
request from the Ombudsman for such information. 
‘‘(i) PUBLIC OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) take all appropriate action to advise the 
public regarding the existence, duties, responsibil-
ities, and grievance processes of the Ombudsman’s 
office; and 
‘‘(2) shall promulgate regulations to ensure— 
‘‘(A) the public’s ability to file grievances 
with the Ombudsman’s office electronically; and 
‘‘(B) that absent written permission of all 
affected parties, all documents submitted to the 
Ombudsman’s office are used solely by the Om-
budsman’s office to advance the purposes de-
scribed in this section. 
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‘‘(j) ANNUAL REPORTING.—Not later than June 30 
of each year beginning in the year after the date of the 
enactment of this subsection, the Ombudsman shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
Senate a report that includes the following: 
‘‘(1) The number and type of complaints re-
ceived under this section, the demographics of com-
plainants, the results of investigations, including vio-
lations of standards and any disciplinary actions 
taken, and an identification of any complaint pat-
terns that could be prevented or reduced by policy 
training or practice changes. 
‘‘(2) An inventory of complaints referred to in 
paragraph (1) for which action has been taken and 
the time between receipt and resolution of each such 
complaint. 
‘‘(3) An inventory of complaints referred to in 
paragraph (1) for which action has not been taken 
after one year, the period during which each com-
plaint has been open, and the reason for failure to 
resolve each such complaint. 
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‘‘(4) Recommendations the Ombudsman has 
made to improve the services and responsiveness of 
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and any re-
sponses received from each such component or the 
Department regarding such recommendations. 
‘‘(5) Other information as the Ombudsman de-
termines advisable. 
‘‘(k) ESTABLISHMENT OF BORDER COMMUNITIES LI-
AISON OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Ombudsman, in con-
junction with the Office for Civil Rights and Civil 
Liberties of the Department, shall establish a Bor-
der Community Liaison Office (in this subsection re-
ferred to as the ‘Liaison Office’) in each U.S. Bor-
der Patrol sector on the northern and southern bor-
ders. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSES.—Each Liaison Office under 
this subsection shall— 
‘‘(A) foster cooperation between the U.S. 
Border Patrol, the Office of Field Operations of 
the Department, U.S. Immigration and Cus-
toms Enforcement, and border communities; 
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‘‘(B) consult with border communities on 
the development of policies, directives, and pro-
grams of the U.S. Border Patrol, the Office of 
Field Operations, and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement; and 
‘‘(C) receive feedback from border commu-
nities on the performance of the U.S. Border 
Patrol, the Office of Field Operations, and U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.—Each Liaison Office shall 
be comprised of equal representation from the bor-
der community and U.S. Customs and Border Pro-
tection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-
ment, including at least: 
‘‘(A) One member of the community in 
which each U.S. Border Patrol sector is located 
who has expertise in migration, local public 
safety, civil and human rights, the local commu-
nity, or community relations. 
‘‘(B) One member of an Indian tribe (as 
such term is defined in section 4(e) of the In-
dian Self-Determination and Education Assist-
ance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)) or tribal organi-
zation. 
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‘‘(C) One non-uniformed Border Patrol 
agent with significant experience working for 
the U.S. Border Patrol. 
‘‘(D) One non-uniformed CBP officer with 
significant experience working for U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection. 
‘‘(E) One Enforcement and Removal Oper-
ations (ERO) agent with significant experience 
working for U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement. 
‘‘(l) REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF BORDER ENFORCE-
MENT TECHNOLOGIES
AND OPERATIONS
ON BORDER 
COMMUNITIES.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of 
the Senate a report that assesses current efforts and tech-
nologies used at United States borders, and the impact 
on border communities of such efforts and technologies on 
civil rights, private property rights, privacy rights, and 
civil liberties. 
‘‘(m) GAO REPORT ON THE EXTENT OF CBP AC-
TIVITIES, OPERATIONS, AND CLAIMED AUTHORITY.—Not 
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later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judi-
ciary of the Senate a report that assesses the following 
issues: 
‘‘(1) How far into the United States interior 
the current activities, operations (including check-
points), and claimed authority of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection extend. 
‘‘(2) The extent to which the area of activities, 
operations, and claimed authority referred to in 
paragraph (1) is necessary. 
‘‘(3) The effectiveness of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection’s interior enforcement and its im-
pact on civil, constitutional, and private property 
rights.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
amending the item relating to section 452 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘Sec. 452. Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns.’’. 
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SEC. 4. TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. 
(a) MANDATORY TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDU-
CATION TO PROMOTE CBP AGENT AND OFFICER SAFETY 
AND PROFESSIONALISM.—The Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall establish policies and guidelines to ensure that 
every agent and officer of U.S. Customs and Border Pro-
tection receives a minimum of 19 weeks of training that 
are directly related to the mission of the U.S. Border Pa-
trol and the Office of Field Operations of the Department 
of Homeland Security before the initial assignment of such 
agents and officers, and eight hours of training and con-
tinuing education annually thereafter. Such training and 
continuing education shall be conducted by attorneys who 
have experience with the Fourth Amendment to the Con-
stitution, including appropriate application of the use of 
force by agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection. Such attorneys shall be members of the De-
partment of Homeland Security’s Office of General Coun-
sel, and all instruction provided shall be in alignment with 
curriculum developed and endorsed by FLETC. 
(b) FLETC.—The Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall establish policies and guidelines governing training 
with FLETC and continuing education of agents and offi-
cers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Im-
migration and Customs Enforcement regarding border 
awareness, accountability, and oversight. Such training 
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with FLETC shall include individual courses for each of 
the following issues: 
(1) Community relations, including the fol-
lowing: 
(A) Best practices in community policing. 
(B) Policies limiting location of enforce-
ment and cooperation with local law enforce-
ment. 
(C) Best practices in responding to griev-
ances and how to refer complaints to the Om-
budsman for Border and Immigration Related 
Concerns in accordance with section 452 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by 
section 3 of this Act. 
(2) Interdiction, including the following: 
(A) Instruction on formal and proper com-
mand language. 
(B) Situational awareness of what lan-
guage is appropriate. 
(C) Legal application of use of force poli-
cies and guidelines. 
(D) Policies and training scenarios nec-
essary to ensure the agent or officer and the 
community is safe when intervening in situa-
tions in urban areas, including— 
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(i) scenario-based training and guide-
lines; and 
(ii) non-lethal force training and cer-
tification on at least one non-lethal force 
instrument, including tasers. 
(E) Policies necessary to ensure the agent 
or officer and the community is safe when in-
tervening in situations in rural and remote loca-
tions. 
(3) Vulnerable populations, including instruc-
tion on screening, identifying, and responding to vul-
nerable populations, such as children, victims of 
human trafficking, and the acutely ill. 
(4) Cultural and societal issues, including the 
following: 
(A) Understanding of the diversity of im-
migrant communities. 
(B) Language and basic cultural aware-
ness of major migrant-sending countries. 
(C) Natural resource protection and envi-
ronmental policies along the border. 
(D) Privacy considerations regarding bor-
der-related technologies. 
(E) History and ethics of asylum law. 
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(5) Standards of professional conduct, including 
the following: 
(A) Lawful use of force. 
(B) Complying with chain of command and 
lawful orders. 
(C) Conduct and ethical behavior toward 
the public in a civil and professional manner. 
(D) Respect for civil rights and protection 
of the well-being of individuals. 
(E) Non-racially biased questioning. 
(F) De-escalation tactics and alternatives 
to use of force. 
(c) SUPERVISOR TRAINING.—In addition to the train-
ing and continuing education required under subsections 
(a) and (b), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall es-
tablish policies and guidelines governing the continuing 
education of agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Bor-
der Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement who attain a supervisory or management posi-
tion. Such training and continuing education shall include 
the following: 
(1) Instruction relating to management and 
leadership best practices. 
(2) Refresher instruction or in-service training 
relating to legal application of use of force policies 
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and guidelines, intervention, community relations, 
and professional conduct. 
(3) Mitigation training to identify, diagnose, 
and address issues within such supervisory and man-
agement roles. 
(d) REVIEW PROCESS.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall establish a review process to ensure that 
port supervisors and managers of U.S. Customs and Bor-
der Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement, as the case may be, are evaluated annually on 
their actions and standards of conduct, and on the actions, 
situational and educational development, and standards of 
conduct of their staffs. 
(e) CONTINUING EDUCATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall annually require all agents and offi-
cers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who 
are required to undergo training under subsections 
(a) through (c) to participate in continuing edu-
cation to maintain and update understanding of 
Federal legal rulings, court decisions, and Depart-
ment of Homeland Security policies, procedures, and 
guidelines related to the subject matters described in 
such subsections. 
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(2) CONSTITUTIONAL
AUTHORITY
SUBJECT 
MATTER.—Continuing education under this sub-
section shall include a course on protecting the civil, 
constitutional, human, and privacy rights of individ-
uals, with special emphasis on the scope of enforce-
ment authority, including chain of evidence practices 
and document seizure, and use of force policies 
available to agents and officers. 
(3) ADDITIONAL
SUBJECT
MATTERS.—Con-
tinuing education under this subsection shall also in-
clude a course on the following: 
(A) Scope of authority to conduct immigra-
tion enforcement activities, including interviews, 
interrogations, stops, searches, arrests, and de-
tentions, in addition to identifying and detect-
ing fraudulent documents. 
(B) Identifying, screening, and responsi-
bility for vulnerable populations, such as chil-
dren and victims of trafficking. 
(C) Cultural and societal issues, including 
understanding of the diversity of immigrant 
communities, language and basic cultural 
awareness of major migrant-sending countries, 
and natural resource protection and environ-
mental policies along the border. 
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(4) ADMINISTRATION.—Courses offered as part 
of continuing education under this subsection 
shall— 
(A) be administered in consultation with 
FLETC by the individual U.S. Border Patrol 
sectors and the Office of Field Operations of 
the Department of Homeland Security in order 
to provide such sectors’ field offices with flexi-
bility to design or tailor such courses to the 
specific needs and conditions of each such sec-
tor and field office; and 
(B) be approved by the Secretary of Home-
land Security before being offered to ensure 
that such courses satisfy the requirements for 
training under this section. 
(5) ROTATION.—Courses offered as part of con-
tinuing education under this subsection shall in-
clude— 
(A) a yearly course focusing on the cur-
riculum described in paragraph (2); and 
(B) an additional course to be rotated on 
a three-year basis focusing on curriculum de-
scribed in paragraph (3). 
(f) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than six years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
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of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs of the Senate a report that assesses the training 
and education, including continuing education, required 
under this section. 
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT OF PORTS OF ENTRY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Home-
land Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
of the Senate a report that contains an assessment of the 
current standards and guidelines for managing ports of 
entry under the control of the Department of Homeland 
Security. Such assessment shall include information relat-
ing to the following: 
(1) Staffing levels and the need for additional 
staffing. 
(2) Rules governing the actions of Office of 
Field Operations agents. 
(3) Average delays for transit through air, land, 
and sea ports of entry. 
(4) An assessment of existing efforts and tech-
nologies used for border security, and the effect of 
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the use of such efforts and technologies on facili-
tating trade at ports of entry and their impact on 
civil rights, private property rights, privacy rights, 
and civil liberties. 
(5) The economic impact of the policies and 
practices of CBP Agricultural Specialists and Office 
of Field Operations work. 
(6) Physical infrastructure and technological 
needs at ports of entry. 
(7) A plan for increasing the number of Border 
Patrol officers certified as EMTs. 
(8) An assessment for implementing body worn 
cameras for Border Patrol agents, including relating 
to storage and public availability of associated data. 
(b) UPDATES.—Based upon the information and as-
sessment contained in the report required under sub-
section (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall es-
tablish updated guidelines and standards for managing 
ports of entry under the control of the Department of 
Homeland Security to address any identified needs or 
shortcomings at such ports of entry, including, if applica-
ble, the following: 
(1) Increasing levels of staffing of CBP Agricul-
tural Specialists at ports of entry at which delays 
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hinder or negatively impact the local or national 
economies. 
(2) Increasing the use of or updating tech-
nology at ports of entry at which there are average 
delays of over two hours based on U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection data collected during the previous 
fiscal year. 
(3) Publishing rules on the handling of docu-
ments at ports of entry. 
(4) Establishing standards of conduct and de-
meanor when interacting with vulnerable popu-
lations, such as children and victims of human traf-
ficking, and individuals with border crossing cards. 
(5) Establishing training courses relating to 
management and leadership skills for supervisors 
and managers at ports of entry. 
SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) ANNUAL CBP REPORT ON MISSION AND PER-
SONNEL BY BORDER PATROL SECTOR.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
annually thereafter, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
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Affairs of the Senate a report that includes the following 
for each Border Patrol sector: 
(1) An assessment of the most appropriate, 
practical, and cost effective means of defending the 
land borders of the United States against threats to 
security and illegal transit, including intelligence ca-
pacities, technology, equipment, personnel, and 
training needed to address security vulnerabilities. 
(2) An assessment of staffing needs for all bor-
der security functions, including an assessment of 
efforts to take into account asylum seekers, traf-
ficking victims, unaccompanied children, and other 
vulnerable populations. 
(3) A description of the border security roles 
and missions of Federal, State, regional, local, and 
Tribal authorities, and recommendations regarding 
actions the Commissioner can carry out to improve 
coordination with such authorities to enable border 
security activities to be carried out in a more effi-
cient and effective manner. 
(4) A description of ways to ensure that the 
free flow of travel and commerce is not diminished 
by efforts, activities, and programs aimed at secur-
ing the land borders of the United States. 
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(5) An impact assessment of the loss of trade 
and commerce due to inadequate staffing at land 
ports of entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion agents and officers. 
(b) REPORT ON MIGRANT DEATHS.— 
(1) CBP AND ICE.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Cus-
toms Enforcement shall jointly submit to the Comp-
troller General of the United States, the Committee 
on Homeland Security of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report relating 
to deaths occurring along the United States-Mexico 
border, including information on the following: 
(A) The number of documented migrant 
deaths. 
(B) A geographical breakdown of where 
such migrant deaths occur. 
(C) To the extent possible, the cause of 
death for each migrant. 
(D) The extent to which border technology, 
physical barriers, and enforcement programs 
have contributed to such migrant deaths. 
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(E) A detailed description of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement programs or plans to 
reduce the number of migrant deaths along the 
border, including an assessment on the effec-
tiveness of water supply sites and rescue bea-
cons. 
(2) GAO.—Not later than 90 days after the 
submission of the report required under paragraph 
(1), the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall review such report to determine the following: 
(A) The validity of U.S. Customs and Bor-
der Protection’s and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement’s statistical analysis of 
migrant deaths. 
(B) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement have adopted simple and 
low-cost measures, such as water supply sites 
and rescue beacons, to reduce the frequency of 
migrants deaths. 
(C) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement measures the effective-
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ness of its programs to address the frequency 
of migrant deaths. 
(D) The extent of data and information 
sharing and cooperation between U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement, local and State law en-
forcement, foreign diplomatic and consular 
posts, and nongovernmental organizations to 
accurately identify deceased individuals and no-
tify family members and compare information 
to missing persons registries. 
(c) GAO REPORT ON USE OF FORCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall ex-
amine the extent to which U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement have clarified use of force policies, includ-
ing the following (and any recommendations related 
to the following): 
(A) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement have implemented new 
training tactics to improve use of force policies, 
including how the use of force policy conforms 
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to Department of Homeland Security and Fed-
eral law enforcement best practices. 
(B) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement have identified additional 
or alternative weapons and equipment to im-
prove agents’ and officers’ abilities to de-esca-
late confrontations, including protective gear. 
(C) Efforts to review and enhance current 
training and tactics related to use of force, and 
to implement reforms to ensure agents and offi-
cers are better equipped to assess and respond 
to threats. 
(D) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement have established a stake-
holder engagement framework to better inform 
and enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion’s use of force training. 
(E) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement have established metrics 
to track the effectiveness of use of force train-
ing and to ensure the reporting of all uses of 
force for review to determine whether the force 
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used was justified and whether it could have 
been avoided through different tactics or train-
ing, better supervision, different tools, adher-
ence to policy, or changes in policy. 
(F) How U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion and U.S. Immigration and Customs En-
forcement could implement best law enforce-
ment practices to improve policies for trans-
parent communication with family members of 
individuals injured or killed by U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement agent’s and officer’s use 
of force, including updates on any pending in-
vestigations, and policies for timely notification 
of such injuries and deaths following such uses 
of force to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection or the Director of U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (as the 
case may be), the Joint Intake Center of the 
Department of Homeland Security, the Office 
of Inspector General of the Department, the Of-
fice for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the 
Department, the Offices of Public Affairs of the 
Department, Congress, and the applicable con-
sulates, if appropriate. 
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(G) How recommendations and requests 
made by agents and officers of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement have been received, 
reviewed, and if possible implemented into U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection and Depart-
ment of Homeland Security use of force policies 
and best practices. 
(H) The extent to which U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement electronically track per-
sonal searches and seizures of personal items at 
the border, and an assessment of how such in-
formation is used to inform U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement policies and procedures. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION OF GAO FINDINGS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall direct the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Cus-
toms Enforcement to implement any recommenda-
tions contained in the report required under para-
graph (1). If the Secretary does not so implement 
such recommendations, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
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of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
written notification explaining why such rec-
ommendations are not being so implemented. 
(d) GAO REPORT ON BODY WORN CAMERAS.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
assess the potential implementation by U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement of body worn cameras for all agents and offi-
cers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Im-
migration and Customs Enforcement, including relating to 
storage and public availability of associated data. 
SEC. 7. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ACCOUNT-
ABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BORDER SECURITY.—The term ‘‘border se-
curity’’ means the prevention of unlawful entries 
into the United States, including entries by individ-
uals, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other 
contraband. 
(2) CHECKPOINT.—The term ‘‘checkpoint’’ 
means a location— 
(A) at which vehicles or individuals trav-
eling through the location are stopped by a law 
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enforcement official for the purposes of enforce-
ment of United States laws and regulations; 
and 
(B) that is not located at a port of entry 
along an international border of the United 
States. 
(3) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.—The term 
‘‘law enforcement official’’ means— 
(A) an agent or officer of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection; 
(B) an agent or officer of U.S. Immigra-
tion and Customs Enforcement; or 
(C) an officer or employee of a State, or a 
political subdivision of a State, who is carrying 
out the functions of an immigration officer pur-
suant to— 
(i) an agreement entered into under 
section 287(g) of the Immigration and Na-
tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357(g)); 
(ii) authorization under title IV of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1401 et 
seq.); or 
(iii) any other agreement with the De-
partment of Homeland Security, including 
any Federal grant program. 
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(4) PATROL
STOP.—The term ‘‘patrol stop’’ 
means search, seizure, or interrogation of a motor-
ist, passenger, or pedestrian initiated anywhere ex-
cept as part of an inspection at a port of entry or 
a primary inspection at a checkpoint. 
(5) PRIMARY INSPECTION.—The term ‘‘primary 
inspection’’ means an initial inspection of a vehicle 
or individual at a checkpoint. 
(6) SECONDARY INSPECTION.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary inspection’’ means a further inspection of a 
vehicle or individual that is conducted following a 
primary inspection. 
(b) DATA COLLECTION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OF-
FICIALS ENFORCING UNITED STATES LAWS AND REGU-
LATIONS AND MAKING BORDER SECURITY STOPS.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION RE-
GARDING
STOPS
AND
SEARCHES.—A law enforce-
ment official who initiates a patrol stop or who de-
tains any individual beyond a brief and limited in-
quiry, such as a primary inspection at a checkpoint, 
shall record— 
(A) the date, time, and location of the con-
tact; 
(B) the law enforcement official’s basis for, 
or circumstances surrounding, the contact, in-
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cluding if such individual’s perceived race or 
ethnicity contributed to the basis for, and cir-
cumstances surrounding, the contact; 
(C) the identifying characteristics of such 
individual, including the individual’s perceived 
race, gender, ethnicity, and approximate age; 
(D) the duration of the stop, detention, or 
search, whether consent was requested and ob-
tained for the contact, including any search; 
(E) a description of any articulable facts 
and behavior by the individual that justify initi-
ating the contact or probable cause to justify 
any search pursuant to such contact; 
(F) a description of any items seized dur-
ing such search, including contraband or 
money, and a specification of the type of search 
conducted; 
(G) whether any arrest, detention, warn-
ing, or citation resulted from such contact and 
the basis for such action; 
(H) the immigration status of the indi-
vidual, if obtained during the ordinary course of 
the contact without additional questioning in 
accordance with this section, and whether re-
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moval proceedings were subsequently initiated 
against the individual; 
(I) whether a body-worn camera or any 
other video or audio recording exists that re-
corded the stop or detention; 
(J) whether force was used by the law en-
forcement official and, if so, the type of force, 
justification for using force, and whether the 
use of force resulted in injury or death; 
(K) whether any complaint was made by 
the individual subject to the contact, and if 
so— 
(i) which oversight components within 
or outside of the Department of Homeland 
Security investigated the complaint; 
(ii) how long the investigation lasted; 
(iii) a description of the methods of 
investigation used; and 
(iv) the badge number of the law en-
forcement official involved in the com-
plaint; 
(L) if the contact was initiated by a State 
or local law enforcement agency— 
(i) the reason for involvement of a 
Federal law enforcement official; 
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(ii) the duration of the contact prior 
to contact with any Federal law enforce-
ment official; 
(iii) the method by which a Federal 
law enforcement official was informed of 
the stop; and 
(iv) whether the individual was being 
held by State or local officials on State 
criminal charges at the time of such con-
tact; 
(M) if the contact was initiated by a State 
or local law enforcement agency of a State, 
whether such agency was acting pursuant to— 
(i) an agreement entered into under 
section 287(g) of the Immigration and Na-
tionality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357(g)); 
(ii) authorization under title IV of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1401 et 
seq.); or 
(iii) pursuant to any other agreement 
with the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity, including any Federal grant program; 
(N) if the contact involved an individual 
whose primary language of communication is 
not English, the means of communication used; 
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(O) if the contact occurred at a location 
proximate to a place of worship or religious 
ceremony, school or education-related place or 
event, courthouse or other civic building pro-
viding services accessible to the public, hospital, 
medical treatment, or health care facility, at a 
public demonstration, or an attorney’s office, 
including a public defender or legal aid office; 
and 
(P) if the contact occurred at a location 
described in subparagraph (O), why that loca-
tion was chosen and any supervisory approval 
that was sought to carry out the contact at the 
location. 
(2) REQUIREMENT
FOR
U.S. CUSTOMS
AND 
BORDER PROTECTION DATA COLLECTION REGARD-
ING CHECKPOINTS.—The Commissioner of U.S. Cus-
toms and Border Protection shall collect data on— 
(A) the number of permanent and tem-
porary checkpoints utilized by agents and offi-
cers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; 
(B) the location of each such checkpoint; 
(C) the dates on which a temporary check-
point was used; and 
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(D) a description of each such checkpoint, 
including the presence of any other law enforce-
ment agencies and the use of law enforcement 
resources, such as canines and surveillance 
technologies, including license plate readers. 
(3) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, in consultation with 
stakeholders, including research, civil, and human 
rights organizations, shall promulgate regulations re-
lating to the collection and reporting of data re-
quired under paragraphs (1) and (2), which shall— 
(A) specify all data to be reported; and 
(B) provide standards, definitions, and 
technical specifications to ensure uniform re-
porting. 
(4) COMPILATION OF DATA.— 
(A) DEPARTMENT
OF
HOMELAND
SECU-
RITY
LAW
ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall compile— 
(i) the data collected under paragraph 
(1) by agents and officers of U.S. Immi-
gration and Customs Enforcement and 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection; 
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(ii) the data collected under para-
graph (2) by the Commissioner of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection; and 
(iii) an analysis for all incidents inves-
tigated by the Department of Homeland 
Security’s Office of Inspector General, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Of-
fice of Professional Responsibility, or U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 
Office of Professional Responsibility to de-
termine whether the data required to be 
collected under this Act were properly re-
corded and, if not, the corrective measures 
that were or will be taken. 
(B) OTHER
LAW
ENFORCEMENT
OFFI-
CIALS.—The head of each agency, department, 
or other entity that employs law enforcement 
officials other than agents and officers referred 
to in subparagraph (A) shall— 
(i) compile the data collected by such 
law enforcement officials pursuant to para-
graph (1); and 
(ii) submit the compiled data to the 
Secretary of Homeland Security. 
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(5) USE OF DATA.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall consider the data compiled under 
paragraph (4) in making policy and program deci-
sions. 
(6) AUDIT AND REPORT.—Not later than one 
year after the effective date of the regulations pro-
mulgated under paragraph (3), the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States shall— 
(A) conduct an audit of the data compiled 
under paragraph (4) to determine whether law 
enforcement officials are complying with the 
data collection requirements under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) submit to Congress a report that con-
tains a summary of the findings of such audit. 
(c) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and an-
nually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity shall submit to Congress a report on the data 
compiled under subsection (b)(4), including all such 
data for the previous year. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Each report submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall be made available to the 
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pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
public, except for particular data if the Secretary of 
Homeland Security— 
(A) explicitly invokes an exemption con-
tained in paragraphs (1) through (9) of section 
552(b) of title 5, United States Code; and 
(B) provides a written explanation for the 
exemption’s applicability. 
(3) PRIVACY.—The Secretary may not report 
unique personal identifying information of persons 
stopped, searched, or subjected to a property sei-
zure, for purposes of this section. 
(4) PUBLICATION.—The data compiled under 
subsection (b)(4) shall be made available to the pub-
lic to the extent the release of such data is permis-
sible under Federal law. 
SEC. 8. LIMITATION ON THE SEPARATION OF FAMILIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An agent or officer of a des-
ignated agency shall be prohibited from removing a child 
from his or her parent or legal guardian, at or near the 
port of entry or within 100 miles of a border of the United 
States, unless one of the following has occurred: 
(1) A State court, authorized under State law, 
terminates the rights of the parent or legal guard-
ian, determines that it is in the best interests of the 
child to be removed from the parent or legal guard-
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ian, in accordance with the Adoption and Safe Fam-
ilies Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–89), or makes 
any similar determination that is legally authorized 
under State law. 
(2) An official from the State or county child 
welfare agency with expertise in child trauma and 
development makes a best interests determination 
that it is in the best interests of the child to be re-
moved from the parent or legal guardian because the 
child is in danger of abuse or neglect at the hands 
of the parent or legal guardian, or is a danger to 
herself or others. 
(3) The Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port 
Director in their official and undelegated capacity, 
authorizes separation upon the recommendation by 
an agent or officer, based on a finding that— 
(A) the child is a victim of trafficking or 
is at significant risk of becoming a victim of 
trafficking; 
(B) there is a strong likelihood that the 
adult is not the parent or legal guardian of the 
child; or 
(C) the child is in danger of abuse or ne-
glect at the hands of the parent or legal guard-
ian, or is a danger to themselves or others, 
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except that, in the case that a child is removed from 
his or her parent or legal guardian under this sec-
tion, an independent child welfare expert licensed by 
the State or county in which the child was so re-
moved, authorizes the separation not later than 48 
hours after such removal, and if such expert does 
not authorize such separation, the child shall be re-
united with his or her parent or legal guardian not 
later than 48 hours after such determination. 
(b) PROHIBITION ON SEPARATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—A designated agency may 
not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian 
solely for the policy goal of deterring individuals 
from migrating to the United States or for the pol-
icy goal of promoting compliance with civil immigra-
tion laws. 
(2) PENALTY FOR FAMILY SEPARATION.—Any 
person who knowingly separates a child from his or 
her parent or legal guardian in violation of this sec-
tion, shall be fined not more than $10,000. 
(c) DOCUMENTATION
REQUIRED.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that a separation under subsection (a)(3) is 
documented in writing and includes, at a minimum, the 
reason for such separation, together with the stated evi-
dence for such separation. 
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(3) is included on the paperwork of the child 
and the parent or legal guardian of the child. 
(c) CONTACT
INFORMATION.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall advise a child who has been removed 
pursuant to section 8 and the parent or legal guardian 
of the child on the manner in which the child and the par-
ent or legal guardian may be contacted during the term 
of the removal. 
SEC. 10. INDEPENDENCE OF IMMIGRATION JUDGES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report, which shall be published 
and made available to the public, on the feasibility of es-
tablishing an immigration court outside the executive 
branch composed of judges appointed for a fixed term with 
jurisdiction over cases arising out of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) or any other immi-
gration law of the United States and the appeal of such 
cases, the impact that such an immigration court will have 
on the case backlog of immigration judges, barriers to the 
creation of such an immigration court, and recommenda-
tions for Congress. 
Æ 
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