To improve the security clearance process along the United States-Mexico border, to increase the number of detention beds, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-hr-1196
Sponsor: Rep. Ortiz, Solomon P. [D-TX-27]
Introduced: 2005-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Arizona
Armed Forces and National Security
Border patrols
Boundaries
California
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Data banks
Department of Homeland Security
Deportation
Detention of persons
Executive reorganization
Federal employees
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Identification devices
Identification of criminals
Immigrants
Information technology
International Affairs
International cooperation
Judges
Labor and Employment
Latin America
Law
Mexico
New Mexico
Police training
Prison alternatives
Public prosecutors
Recruiting of employees
Risk
Science, Technology, Communications
Security clearances
Security measures
Technological innovations
Terrorism
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: 
Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) ensure that Department of Homeland Security personnel along the U.S.-Mexico border have the security clearances required to access information to adequately screen entering immigrants; (2) develop the interagency agreements and information technology infrastructure necessary for such screening; (3) explore information sharing programs with countries of interest; and (4) increase by the amount necessary the number of detention beds needed to detain all immigrants apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Office of Detention and Removal Operations should be placed under the operational control of the Commissioner of CBP (currently, under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with an independent entity to study the necessary level and allocation of personnel at U.S. ports of entry and border patrol sectors; (2) provide ongoing training for all border security personnel; and (3) submit a report on detention and removal operations and a unified, comprehensive border security strategy to appropriate congressional committees.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) prosecutors and immigration judges are critical for the prompt and proper enforcement of immigration laws and are an important part of a comprehensive strategy; and (2) there is an insufficient number of prosecutors and immigration judges for immigration enforcement. Authorizes appropriations for staff increases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2005-04-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight.
action_date: 2005-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-03-09
text: Introduced in House