DHS Reporting on Injuries and Deaths in Custody
A house committee must act next: committee consideration.
This bill faces a difficult path because it was introduced by a group of Democrats and would likely face opposition from Republicans who often resist new requirements for border and security agencies.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
DHS employees, contractors, or agents involved in an incident that causes serious injury or death would be automatically placed on administrative leave until an outside investigation concludes, and any use of force, firearm discharge, or less-lethal device they used would be documented in detail for Congress. This adds a new accountability layer specifically for staff involved in force incidents, even though it affects only a small subset of the DHS workforce.
“place on administrative leave until such investigation is completed any employee of the Department who inflicted such serious bodily injury or utilized lethal force leading to such death”
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw introduced the DHS Accountability Act of 2026, requiring the agency to notify Congress within 72 hours of any serious injury or death in custody or involving DHS personnel. The bill follows the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
A string of shootings by ICE agents, including the high-profile killing of Renee Good, has sparked national outrage. Critics point to a lack of independent investigations and transparency, issues that new legislative proposals aim to address through mandatory 72-hour reporting to Congress.
Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, Minnesota leaders are pushing for federal accountability. The incident highlighted a loophole where DHS is not required to notify Congress of deaths occurring during enforcement operations if the individual is not yet in formal custody.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2026
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.