Homeland Security Improvement Act
The Homeland Security Improvement Act would create new, independent oversight and accountability mechanisms for border security activities, alongside enhanced training and transparency requirements for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. Key provisions include the establishment of a DHS Border Oversight Commission with northern and southern border subcommittees to study and recommend improvements; a new Ombudsman for Border and Immigration-Related Concerns to receive complaints, conduct inspections, and provide redress; and the creation of Border Community Liaison Offices to improve community engagement. The bill also strengthens training standards for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), tied to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and imposes data-collection and reporting requirements for border enforcement stops and checkpoints. It further directs assessments and updates related to managing ports of entry to better balance security with civil rights, privacy, and trade considerations. Overall, the act seeks to increase transparency, civilian oversight, community input, and professional standards in border enforcement, while expanding accountability mechanisms and data reporting to inform policy and protect civil rights.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission
- 2- Independent 30-member commission with northern and southern border subcommittees, chaired by a Chair and Vice Chair, and public reporting.
- 3- Subcommittees include varied stakeholders (local officials, civil rights advocates, business, academia, faith communities, tribal officials, and CBP/Border Patrol personnel).
- 4- Annual reports to DHS and public availability; initial appointments due within 180 days of enactment; members do not receive federal compensation.
- 5Creation of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration-Related Concerns
- 6- Independent office within DHS reporting directly to the Secretary; staffed with experts in immigration, civil liberties, or law enforcement.
- 7- Functions include a confidential complaint process, facility inspections, assistance to victims of crimes by noncitizens and incidents involving DHS force, and a uniform national complaint database with public records (privacy preserving).
- 8- Establishment of a Border Community Liaison Office in each CBP sector to foster community cooperation and feedback; ensures equal representation from border communities and DHS components.
- 9- Strong protections for complainants, privacy safeguards, and periodic reporting to Congress.
- 10Expanded training and continuing education (CBP/ICE)
- 11- Mandatory training: minimum weeks of initial training (19 weeks for Field Operations, 23 weeks for CBP Border Patrol) with 8 hours of annual continuing education; aligned with FLETC curricula; instructors include DHS General Counsel attorneys.
- 12- Expanded FLETC-driven training on community relations, interdiction, vulnerable populations, culture and societal issues, and professional conduct (including de-escalation and use of force standards).
- 13- Supervisory/management training, annual evaluations for port supervisors, and ongoing continuation education requirements with rotation schedules to ensure ongoing relevance.
- 14- Comptroller General evaluation of training effectiveness within 6 years.
- 15Ports of Entry management reforms
- 16- DHS must submit a 180-day assessment of port-of-entry standards, staffing, delays, technology, trade impact, civil rights, privacy, and vulnerability considerations; includes plans to increase EMTs/medical professionals at ports and improve access for asylum seekers, trafficking victims, unaccompanied minors, and other vulnerable groups.
- 17- DHS to update guidelines and standards for port management, including conduct standards for interactions with vulnerable populations and leadership training for port supervisors.
- 18Border Enforcement Accountability and Transparency (data and oversight)
- 19- Data collection requirements for law enforcement stops and searches, including date/time/location, demographics, items seized, outcomes, immigration status (when readily obtained), languages used, recording presence, and affiliations with DHS agreements.
- 20- CBP data collection on checkpoint usage (locations, dates, and resources such as canines and surveillance tech).
- 21- DHS to issue rules within 180 days to standardize data collection and reporting, with a national database to track complaints and resolutions while preserving complainant privacy.