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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1678

Rep. Escobar Introduces the Homeland Security Improvement Act to Overhaul Border Oversight

Homeland Security Improvement Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • The bill creates a 30-member Border Oversight Commission with regional subcommittees for the northern and southern borders. Members include local officials, law enforcement, civil rights advocates, tribal officials, and Border Patrol agents, all serving 4-year terms. The commission would evaluate border enforcement policies and recommend improvements that protect community rights.

    From policy text

    “There is established an independent commission, which shall be known as the ``Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission''”
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  • A new Ombudsman office would be created inside the Department of Homeland Security to handle complaints about border and immigration enforcement. The office must investigate complaints within one year, provide written outcomes, and maintain a public database of complaints and resolutions. It can also recommend disciplinary action against employees or contractors who violate policies.

    From policy text

    “establish an independent, neutral, and appropriately confidential process to receive, investigate, resolve, and provide redress, including immigration relief, monetary damages, or any other action determined appropriate”
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  • The bill bans taking children from parents solely to deter migration or enforce immigration laws, with exceptions only when a state court or child welfare expert finds the child is in danger. Violators face fines of up to $10,000 per incident, and parents can sue for injunctive relief in federal court.
  • CBP agents would be required to complete 19-23 weeks of initial training and 8 hours of continuing education annually, covering de-escalation, civil rights, cultural awareness, and use of force. The training must be conducted by DHS attorneys with Fourth Amendment expertise.

    From policy text

    “19 weeks of training for employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations, and 23 weeks of training for employees of the U.S. Border Patrol”
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  • Law enforcement officials making border stops would have to record detailed data including the person's perceived race, gender, ethnicity, and age, along with descriptions of any searches or seizures. Annual public reports on migrant deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border would also be required.

    From policy text

    “the identifying characteristics of such individual, including the individual's perceived race, gender, ethnicity, and approximate age”
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  • The GAO would study the feasibility of creating an independent immigration court system outside the executive branch, with judges serving fixed terms. This could help address the massive backlog of immigration cases and increase judicial independence in immigration proceedings.

    From policy text

    “the feasibility of establishing an immigration court system, outside the executive branch, composed of judges appointed for a fixed term with jurisdiction over cases arising under the Immigration and Nationality Act”
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ImmigrationCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions
Feb 27, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Feb 27, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and 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.

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days of enactment

Commission members must be appointed and key reports on ports of entry, border technologies, and body-worn cameras are due

Within 6 months of enactment, the new oversight structure would start taking shape and the public would get detailed information about border operations, staffing gaps, and surveillance technologies used in border communities

1 year after enactment

Annual reporting begins on border stops, migrant deaths, and CBP sector operations; GAO completes use-of-force and immigration court studies

One year after enactment, the public would start receiving regular data on how border enforcement actually operates — including racial profiling data, use-of-force practices, and whether an independent immigration court system is feasible

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 3997Related bill

Homeland Security Improvement Act

Mar 4 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Homeland Security Improvement Act

Bill NumberHR 1678
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.