6 U.S.C. § 211 (DOMESTIC SECURITY)
§ 211. Establishment; Commissioner of Customs
(a) Establishment
There is established in the Department the United States Customs Service, under the authority of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, which shall be vested with those functions including, but not limited to those set forth in section 215(7) of this title, and the personnel, assets, and liabilities attributable to those functions.
(b) Commissioner of Customs
(1) In general
There shall be at the head of the Customs Service a Commissioner of Customs, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Omitted
(3) Continuation in office
The individual serving as the Commissioner of Customs on the day before the effective date of this chapter may serve as the Commissioner of Customs on and after such effective date until a Commissioner of Customs is appointed under paragraph (1).
(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 411, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2178.)
heading: References in Text
text: The effective date of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of this title.
heading: Codification
text: Section is comprised of section 411 of Pub. L. 107–296. Subsec. (b)(2) of section 411 of Pub. L. 107–296 amended section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
heading: Change of Name
text: Customs Service, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), changed to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection by Reorganization Plan Modification for the Department of Homeland Security, eff. Mar. 1, 2003, H. Doc. No. 108–32, 108th Congress, 1st Session, set out as a note under section 542 of this title.
heading: Border Jobs for Veterans
text: Pub. L. 114–68, Oct. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 555, provided that:
“SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
“This Act may be cited as the ‘Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015’.
“SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
“Congress finds the following:
“(1) Customs and Border Protection officers at United States ports of entry carry out critical law enforcement duties associated with screening foreign visitors, returning United States citizens, and imported cargo entering the United States.
“(2) It is in the national interest for United States ports of entry to be adequately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers in a timely fashion, including meeting the congressionally funded staffing target of 23,775 officers for fiscal year 2015.
“(3) An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 members of the Armed Forces separate from military service every year.
“(4) Recruiting efforts and expedited hiring procedures must be enhanced to ensure that individuals separating from military service are aware of, and partake in, opportunities to fill vacant Customs and Border Protection officer positions.
“SEC. 3. EXPEDITED HIRING OF APPROPRIATE SEPARATING SERVICE MEMBERS.
“The Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider the expedited hiring of qualified candidates who have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position of a Customs and Border Protection officer and who are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment authorized under section 4214 of title 38, United States Code.
“SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENTS TO EXISTING PROGRAMS TO RECRUIT SERVICE MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM MILITARY SERVICE FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER VACANCIES.
“(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, and acting through existing programs, authorities, and agreements, where applicable, shall enhance the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to recruit members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service to serve as Customs and Border Protection officers.
“(b) Elements.—
The enhanced recruiting efforts under subsection (a) shall—
“(1) include Customs and Border Protection officer opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the Transition Assistance Program;
“(2) place U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials or other relevant Department of Homeland Security officials at recruiting events and jobs fairs involving members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service;
“(3) provide opportunities for local U.S. Customs and Border Protection field offices to partner with military bases in the region;
“(4) include outreach efforts to educate members of the Armed Forces with Military Occupational Specialty Codes and Officer Branches, Air Force Specialty Codes, Naval Enlisted Classifications and Officer Designators, and Coast Guard competencies that are transferable to the requirements, qualifications, and duties assigned to Customs and Border Protection officers of available hiring opportunities to become Customs and Border Protection officers;
“(5) identify shared activities and opportunities for reciprocity related to steps in hiring Customs and Border Protection officers with the goal of minimizing the time required to hire qualified applicants;
“(6) ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant background investigations and security clearances; and
“(7) include such other elements as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service are aware of opportunities to fill vacant Customs and Border Protection officer positions.
“SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
“(a) In General.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2015], and by December 31 of each of the next 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that includes a description and assessment of the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to hire members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service as Customs and Border Protection officers under section 4.
“(b) Content.—
The report required under subsection (a) shall include—
“(1) a detailed description of the efforts to implement section 4, including—
“(A) elements of the enhanced recruiting efforts and the goals associated with such elements; and
“(B) a description of how the elements and goals referred to in subparagraph (A) will assist in meeting statutorily mandated staffing levels and agency hiring benchmarks;
“(2) a detailed description of the efforts that have been undertaken under section 4;
“(3) the estimated number of separating service members made aware of Customs and Border Protection officer vacancies;
“(4) the number of Customs and Border Protection officer vacancies filled with separating service members; and
“(5) the number of Customs and Border Protection officer vacancies filled with separating service members under Veterans Recruitment Appointment authorized under section 4214 of title 38, United States Code.
“SEC. 6. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
“Nothing in this Act may be construed—
“(1) as superseding, altering, or amending existing Federal veterans’ hiring preferences or Federal hiring authorities; or
“(2) to authorize the appropriation of additional amounts to carry out this Act.”
heading: Port of Entry Partnership Pilot Program
text: Pub. L. 113–76, div. F, title V, § 559, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 279, as amended by Pub. L. 114–4, title V, § 552(a), Mar. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 71; Pub. L. 114–113, div. F, title V, § 550, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2519, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
In addition to existing authorities, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in collaboration with the Administrator of General Services, is authorized to conduct a pilot program in accordance with this section to permit U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enter into partnerships with private sector and government entities at ports of entry for certain services and to accept certain donations.
“(b) Rule of Construction.—
Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this section may be construed as affecting in any manner the responsibilities, duties, or authorities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the General Services Administration.
“(c) Duration.—
The pilot program described in subsection (a) shall be for five years. A partnership entered into during such pilot program may last as long as required to meet the terms of such partnership. At the end of such five year period, the Commissioner may request that such pilot program be made permanent.
“(d) Coordination.—
“(1) In general.—
The Commissioner, in consultation with participating private sector and government entities in a partnership under subsection (a), shall provide the Administrator with information relating to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s requirements for new facilities or upgrades to existing facilities at land ports of entry.
“(2) Criteria.—
The Commissioner and the Administrator shall establish criteria for entering into a partnership under subsection (a) that include the following:
“(A) Selection and evaluation of potential partners.
“(B) Identification and documentation of roles and responsibilities between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, General Services Administration, and private and government partners.
“(C) Identification, allocation, and management of explicit and implicit risks of partnering between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, General Services Administration, and private and government partners.
“(D) Decision-making and dispute resolution processes in partnering arrangements.
“(E) Criteria and processes for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and General Services Administration to terminate agreements if private or government partners are not meeting the terms of such a partnership, including the security standards established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“(3) Evaluation plan.—
The Commissioner, in collaboration with the Administrator, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, an evaluation plan for the pilot program described in subsection (a) that includes the following:
“(A) Well-defined, clear, and measurable objectives.
“(B) Performance criteria or standards for determining the performance of such pilot program.
“(C) Clearly articulated evaluation methodology, including—
“(i) sound sampling methods;
“(ii) a determination of appropriate sample size for the evaluation design;
“(iii) a strategy for tracking such pilot program’s performance; and
“(iv) an evaluation of the final results.
“(D) A plan detailing the type and source of data necessary to evaluate such pilot program, methods for data collection, and the timing and frequency of data collection.
“(e) Authority to Enter Into Agreements for the Provision of Certain Services at Ports of Entry.—
“(1) In general.—
Notwithstanding section 13031(e) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(e)) and section 451 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1451), the Commissioner may, during the pilot program described in subsection (a) and upon the request of a private sector or government entity with which U.S. Customs and Border Protection has entered into a partnership, enter into a reimbursable fee agreement with such entity under which—
“(A) U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide services described in paragraph (2) at a port of entry;
“(B) such entity will pay a fee imposed under paragraph (4) to reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the costs incurred in providing such services; and
“(C) each facility at which U.S. Customs and Border Protection services are performed shall be provided, maintained, and equipped by such entity, without cost to the Federal Government, in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection specifications.
“(2) Services described.—
Services described in this paragraph are any activities of any employee or contractor of U.S. Customs and Border Protection pertaining to customs, agricultural processing, border security, and immigration inspection-related matters at ports of entry.
“(3) Limitations.—
“(A) Impacts of services.—
The Commissioner may not enter into a reimbursable fee agreement under this subsection if such agreement would unduly and permanently impact services funded in this or any other appropriations Act, or provided from any account in the Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of fees.
“(B) For certain costs.—
The authority found in this subsection may not be used at U.S. Customs and Border Protection-serviced air ports of entry to enter into reimbursable fee agreements for costs other than payment of overtime and the salaries, training and benefits of individuals employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in performing law enforcement functions at ports of entry, including primary and secondary processing of passengers.
“(C) The authority found in this subsection may not be used to enter into new preclearance agreements or begin to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection services outside of the United States.
“(D) The authority found in this subsection shall be limited with respect to U.S. Customs and Border Protection-serviced air ports of entry to 10 pilots per year.
“(4) Fee.—
“(A) In general.—
The amount of the fee to be charged pursuant to an agreement authorized under paragraph (1) shall be paid by each private sector and government entity requesting U.S. Customs and Border Protection services, and shall include the salaries and expenses of individuals employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide such services and other costs incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection relating to such services, such as temporary placement or permanent relocation of such individuals.
“(B) Oversight of fees.—
The Commissioner shall develop a process to oversee the activities reimbursed by the fees charged pursuant to an agreement authorized under paragraph (1) that includes the following:
“(i) A determination and report on the full costs of providing services, including direct and indirect costs, including a process for increasing such fees as necessary.
“(ii) Establishment of a monthly remittance schedule to reimburse appropriations.
“(iii) Identification of overtime costs to be reimbursed by such fees.
“(5) Deposit of funds.—
Funds collected pursuant to any agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall be deposited as offsetting collections and remain available until expended, without fiscal year limitation, and shall directly reimburse each appropriation for the amount paid out of that appropriation for any expenses incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection services and any other costs incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection relating to such services.
“(6) Termination.—
The Commissioner shall terminate the provision of services pursuant to an agreement entered into under paragraph (1) with a private sector or government entity that, after receiving notice from the Commissioner that a fee imposed under paragraph (4) is due, fails to pay such fee in a timely manner. In the event of such termination, all costs incurred by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which have not been reimbursed, will become immediately due and payable. Interest on unpaid fees will accrue based on current Treasury borrowing rates. Additionally, any private sector or government entity that, after notice and demand for payment of any fee charged under paragraph (4), fails to pay such fee in a timely manner shall be liable for a penalty or liquidated damage equal to two times the amount of such fee. Any amount collected pursuant to any agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall be deposited into the account specified under paragraph (5) and shall be available as described therein.
“(7) Notification.—
The Commissioner shall notify the Congress 15 days prior to entering into any agreement under paragraph (1) and shall provide a copy of such agreement.
“(f) Donations.—
“(1) In general.—
Subject to paragraph (2), the Commissioner and the Administrator may, during the pilot program described in subsection (a), accept a donation of real or personal property (including monetary donations) or nonpersonal services from any private sector or government entity with which U.S. Customs and Border Protection has entered into a partnership.
“(2) Allowable uses of donations.—
The Commissioner and the Administrator, with respect to any donation provided pursuant to paragraph (1), may—
“(A) use such donation for necessary activities related to the construction, alteration, operation, or maintenance of an existing port of entry facility under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Commissioner, including expenses related to—
“(i) land acquisition, design, construction, repair and alteration;
“(ii) furniture, fixtures, and equipment;
“(iii) the deployment of technology and equipment; and
“(iv) operations and maintenance; or
“(B) transfer such property or services to the Administrator for necessary activities described in subparagraph (A) related to a new or existing port of entry under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the Administrator, subject to chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code. Such transfer shall not be required for personal property, including furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
“(3) Consultation and budget.—
“(A) With the private sector or government entity.—
To accept a donation described in paragraph (1), the Commissioner and the Administrator shall—
“(i) consult with the appropriate stakeholders and the private sector or government entity that is providing the donation and provide such entity with a description of the intended use of such donation; and
“(ii) submit to the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 17, 2014], and annually thereafter, that describes—
“(I) the accepted donations received under this subsection;
“(II) the ports of entry that received such donations; and
“(III) how each donation helped facilitate the construction, alternation [sic], operation, or maintenance of a new or existing land port of entry.
“(B) Savings provision.—
Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to—
“(i) create any right or liability of the parties referred to in subparagraph (A); or
“(ii) affect any consultation requirement under any other law.
“(4) Evaluation procedures.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Administrator, shall establish procedures for evaluating a proposal submitted by a private sector or government entity to make a donation of real or personal property (including monetary donations) or nonpersonal services under paragraph (1) relating to a port of entry under the jurisdiction, custody and control of the Commissioner or the Administrator and make any such evaluation criteria publicly available.
“(5) Considerations.—
In determining whether or not to approve a proposal referred to in paragraph (4), the Commissioner or the Administrator shall consider—
“(A) the impact of such proposal on the port of entry at issue and other ports of entry on the same border;
“(B) the potential of such proposal to increase trade and travel efficiency through added capacity;
“(C) the potential of such proposal to enhance the security of the port of entry at issue;
“(D) the funding available to complete the intended use of a donation under this subsection, if such donation is real property;
“(E) the costs of maintaining and operating such donation;
“(F) whether such donation, if real property, satisfies the requirements of such proposal, or whether additional real property would be required;
“(G) an explanation of how such donation, if real property, was secured, including if eminent domain was used;
“(H) the impact of such proposal on staffing requirements; and
“(I) other factors that the Commissioner or Administrator determines to be relevant.
“(6) Unconditional monetary donations.—
A monetary donation shall be made unconditionally, although the donor may specify—
“(A) the port of entry facility or facilities to be benefitted from such donation; and
“(B) the timeframe during which such donation shall be used.
“(7) Supplemental funding.—
Real or personal property (including monetary donations) or nonpersonal services donated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be used in addition to any other funding (including appropriated funds), property, or services made available for the same purpose.
“(8) Return of donations.—
If the Commissioner or the Administrator does not use the real property or monetary donation donated pursuant to paragraph (1) for the specific port of entry facility or facilities designated by the donor or within the timeframe specified by the donor, such donated real property or money may be returned to the donor. No interest shall be owed to the donor with respect to any donation of funding provided under such paragraph (1) that is returned pursuant to this paragraph.
“(9) Savings provision.—
Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect or alter the existing authority of the Commissioner or the Administrator to construct, alter, operate, and maintain port of entry facilities.
“(g) Annual Reports.—
The Commissioner, in collaboration with the Administrator, shall annually submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the pilot program and activities undertaken pursuant thereto in accordance with this Act [div. F of Pub. L. 113–76, see Tables for classification].
“(h) Definitions.—
In this section—
“(1) the term ‘private sector entity’ means any corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other private entity, or any officer, employee, or agent thereof;
“(2) the term ‘Commissioner’ means the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and
“(3) the term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of General Services.
“(i) Role of General Services Administration.—
Under this section, collaboration with the Administrator of General Services is required only with respect to partnerships at land ports of entry.”
[Pub. L. 114–113, div. F, title V, § 550, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2519, which directed amendment of section 559(e)(3)(D) of Pub. L. 113–76 by striking “five pilots per year” and inserting “10 pilots per year”, was executed by making the substitution in section 559(e)(3)(D) of division F of Pub. L. 113–76, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.]
[Pub. L. 114–4, title V, § 552(a)(2), Mar. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 71, which directed amendment of subsection “(e)(3)(b)” of section 559 of division F of Public Law 113–76, set out above, by inserting “and the salaries, training and benefits of individuals employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in performing law enforcement functions at ports of entry, including primary and secondary processing of passengers” after “payment of overtime”, was executed by making the insertion in subsection (e)(3)(B) of section 559 of division F of Public Law 113–76, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.]
heading: Reducing Passenger Processing Times
text: Pub. L. 113–76, div. F, title V, § 571, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 287, provided that:
“(a) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall develop metrics that support a goal of reducing passenger processing times at air, land, and sea ports of entry, taking into consideration the capacity of an air or land port’s physical infrastructure, airline arrival schedules, peak processing periods, and security requirements.
“(b) Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 17, 2014], the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall develop and implement operational work plans to meet the goals of subsection (a) at United States air, land, and sea ports with the highest passenger volume and longest wait times. In developing such plans, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall consult with appropriate stakeholders, including, but not limited to, airlines and airport operators, port authorities, and importers.”