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 | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-09-26 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. | Senate |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Vote | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 194 (Roll no. 546). (text: CR H7928-7929) | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Vote | On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 207 - 216 (Roll no. 545). | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | Mr. Green (TN) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Homeland Security. (text: CR H7974) | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7974-7976) | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 2203. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | DEBATE - The House resumed with debate on H.R. 2203. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2203. | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | 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 | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-25 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 577. (consideration: CR H7928-7934) | House floor actions |
| 2019-09-24 | Floor | 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 | House floor actions |
| 2019-07-19 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 122. | House floor actions |
| 2019-07-19 | Discharge | Committee on Ways and Means discharged. | House floor actions |
| 2019-07-19 | Discharge | Committee on the Judiciary discharged. | House floor actions |
| 2019-07-19 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-163, Part I. | House floor actions |
| 2019-07-17 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13. | House committee actions |
| 2019-07-17 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2019-07-17 | Committee | Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Discharged. | House committee actions |
| 2019-05-15 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. | House committee actions |
| 2019-04-23 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations. | House committee actions |
| 2019-04-10 | IntroReferral | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2019-04-10 | IntroReferral | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2019-04-10 | IntroReferral | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2019-04-10 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |