PRIA Logo™
119-hr-1678119th Congress

Homeland Security Improvement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

In Committee

Summary

Creates independent oversight of DHS border operations to strengthen accountability, improve training, collect standardized data, and limit child separations used only as a deterrent. The bill sets up a 30‑member Border Oversight Commission, an independent Ombudsman, new liaison offices, and detailed training and reporting rules.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Limits on child removals at border

This bill would limit when immigration officers could remove a child from a parent or guardian. Removal just to deter migration would be banned. Near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border, removal would be allowed only if a State court ends parental rights or a State or county child welfare official finds the child is in danger. The Secretary would need a licensed child welfare expert’s opinion within 48 hours. If the expert says it was not allowed, the child would be reunited. Parents would get written reasons and evidence. Parents could sue in federal court, and violators could be fined up to $10,000 per occurrence.

Independent help for border complaints

This bill would create an independent Ombudsman inside DHS for border and immigration concerns. You could file a multilingual complaint online, by mail, or by phone. The office could investigate and, when appropriate, provide immigration relief or monetary damages. It would run a public complaint database and an online locator for people in CBP custody. DHS agencies would need to give records and respond to recommendations within 60 days. The Ombudsman would confirm complaints within 60 days, finish most reviews within a year, and report to Congress each year by June 30.

More public data on stops and deaths

This bill would require officers to record details for patrol stops and extended detentions, including time, place, perceived race, gender, age, items seized, search type, and outcomes. Immigration status would be recorded only if learned in the normal course. CBP would track checkpoint counts, locations, and dates. The Secretary would set uniform data rules within 180 days and publish an annual public report within one year. CBP and ICE would also jointly report on migrant deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border within 180 days and every year after, and the Comptroller General would review each report within 90 days.

More training for CBP officers

This bill would require new training for CBP officers and agents. Office of Field Operations staff would get at least 19 weeks of initial training. Border Patrol staff would get at least 23 weeks. Each would get at least 8 hours of continuing education yearly on de-escalation, non‑lethal tools, vulnerable populations, and related topics. Supervisors would get added training on management and lawful use of force. The Comptroller General would review progress within six years.

New guidelines to cut port delays

This bill would require a report within 180 days on land port staffing, delays, technology, trade impacts, and access for asylum seekers and other vulnerable people. Based on that, the Secretary would set updated port guidelines. If a port had average delays over 2 hours last year, technology use could be updated or increased. The plan would include more EMT-certified officers and medical staff, rules for handling documents, and standards for treating border crossing card holders and vulnerable people.

Annual reports for Border Patrol sectors

This bill would require CBP to send a report for each Border Patrol sector within one year and then every year. Each report would assess border defense options and list staffing needs, including for asylum seekers, trafficking victims, and unaccompanied children. Reports would explain the roles of Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners and how to keep travel and trade moving. They would also estimate trade lost from not having enough staff at land ports.

Independent border oversight commission

This bill would create a 30‑member commission to oversee border policies and impacts on communities. Thirteen members would represent the northern border and 17 the southern border. Initial appointments would be made within 180 days, and members would serve four‑year terms. The commission would meet at least twice a year and issue public annual reports. Members would not receive federal pay or benefits for serving.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

TX • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation