ICE Accountability Act

Key Points

• This bill would create a new, independent group called the Commission for Independent Monitoring of Immigration Enforcement. This group would watch over agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make sure they follow the law and respect the civil rights of the people they encounter.
• The commission would have the power to show up unannounced at immigration facilities, watch agents during arrests or deportations, and review private records like body camera footage and training manuals. If the commission finds serious problems, it can sue the government or ask the Department of Justice to bring criminal charges against officials.
• To keep the public informed, the commission would run a website where anyone can file a complaint or look at data on where immigration enforcement is happening. They would also release monthly reports to Congress and the public explaining whether immigration agencies are following the rules.
• Immigration agencies could face heavy fines of $500,000 per day if a court finds they are purposely breaking civil rights rules. The bill also protects 'whistleblowers'—employees who report wrongdoing—from being fired or harassed for speaking to the commission.
• The group would be led by four experts chosen by leaders from both political parties in the House and Senate. The commission would stay in place until immigration agencies prove they have followed the rules consistently for at least one year.