Homeland Security Improvement Act

Bill: 116-hr-2203
Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Employee performance
Employment and training programs
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Photography and imaging
Specialized courts
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Homeland Security Improvement Act

 
This bill establishes various bodies and policies related to border security operations. It also limits when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may separate a child from a parent or legal guardian.
 
The bill establishes the independent DHS Border Oversight Commission. The commission's duties shall include recommending policies to protect civil rights and improve the safety of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
 
The bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns. The office shall independently receive and resolve complaints and requests for assistance regarding border security and immigration activities. The office shall have the power to provide redress, including immigration relief and monetary damages. The office's other responsibilities include monitoring local offices and recommending disciplinary actions against contractors that have violated policies. 
 
The bill establishes the Border Community Liaison Office. The office's duties include consulting with communities in sectors on the northern and southern borders when developing policies and programs.
 
DHS shall ensure CBP officers receive continual education and training each year on topics including interaction with vulnerable populations and professional conduct standards. 
 
The bill imposes data collection requirements on law enforcement officials conducting border and immigration-related stops and searches. 
 
A child may not be removed from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border except in certain instances, such as when a court determines that removal of the child is in the child's best interests.
 
The bill requires various reports, including a Government Accountability Office report on the use of force by CBP and ICE.

action_date: 2019-07-19
text: 

Homeland Security Improvement Act

 
This bill establishes various bodies and policies related to border security. It also limits when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may separate a child from a parent or legal guardian.
 
The bill establishes a commission to investigate and make a complete accounting of the handling of migrant families and children at the southern border since January 2017. 
 
DHS shall appoint an Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns, who shall establish a process to receive, investigate, and provide redress for complaints relating to border security and immigration activities.
 
The bill establishes a committee to advise DHS as to how various programs may impact border communities.
 
DHS shall ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers receive initial and continual education on topics such as interaction with vulnerable populations. DHS shall provide Congress with a plan to require the use of body cameras during border security or immigration enforcement activities.
 
A child may not be removed from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border except in certain instances, such as when a court determines that such removal is in the child's best interests. DHS shall establish an electronic system to track separated children and the parents and legal guardians of such children.
 
The bill stops the implementation of various rules limiting requests for asylum, and imposes certain rules on the treatment of detained individuals.
 
The bill requires various reports, including a Government Accountability Office report on migrant deaths.

action_date: 2019-09-25
text: 
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.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 194 (Roll no. 546). (text: CR H7928-7929)
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 194 (Roll no. 546).(text: CR H7928-7929)
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 207 - 216 (Roll no. 545).
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Green (TN) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language at the end of section 711 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Ombudsman to include additional information inspecific reports.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Mr. Green (TN) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Homeland Security. (text: CR H7974)
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7974-7976)
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 2203.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House resumed with debate on H.R. 2203.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2203.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 577. (consideration: CR H7928-7934)
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 577 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 122.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-163, Part I.
action_date: 2019-07-19
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-163, Part I.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Discharged.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-04-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 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 determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 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 determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 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 determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in House