Library / Laws / 113th / hr / H.R. 3846 / Referred from Senate
IIB
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3846
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 29, 2014Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
AN ACT
To provide for the authorization of border, maritime, and transportation security responsibilities
and functions in the Department of Homeland Security and the establishment
of United States Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the United States Customs and Border Protection Authorization Act.
2.
Establishment of United States Customs and Border Protection
(a)
In general
Section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211) is amended to read as follows:
411.
Establishment of United States Customs and Border Protection; Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner,
and operational offices
(a)
In general
There is established in the Department an agency to be known as United States Customs and Border
Protection.
(b)
Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection
There shall be at the head of United States Customs and Border Protection a Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection (in this section referred to as the Commissioner), who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c)
Duties
The Commissioner shall—
(1) ensure the interdiction of persons and goods illegally entering or exiting the United States;
(2) facilitate and expedite the flow of legitimate travelers and trade;
(3) detect, respond to, and interdict terrorists, drug smugglers and traffickers, human smugglers and
traffickers, and other persons who may undermine the security of the
United States, in cases in which such persons are entering, or have
recently entered, the United States;
(4) safeguard the borders of the United States to protect against the entry of dangerous goods;
(5) oversee the functions of the Office of International Trade established under section 402 of the
Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 (19 U.S.C. 2072; Public Law 109–347);
(6) enforce and administer all customs laws of the United States, including the Tariff Act of 1930;
(7) enforce and administer all immigration laws, as such term is defined in paragraph (17) of section
101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)), as necessary for the inspection, processing, and admission of persons who seek to enter or
depart the United States, and as necessary to ensure the detection,
interdiction, removal, departure from the United States, short-term
detention, and transfer of persons unlawfully entering, or who have
recently unlawfully entered, the United States, in coordination with
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services;
(8) develop and implement screening and targeting capabilities, including the screening, reviewing,
identifying, and prioritizing of passengers and cargo across all
international modes of transportation, both inbound and outbound;
(9) enforce and administer the laws relating to agricultural import and entry inspection referred to in
section 421;
(10) in coordination with the Secretary, deploy technology to collect the data necessary for the
Secretary to administer the biometric entry and exit data system pursuant
to section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004 (8 U.S.C. 1365b);
(11) In coordination with the Under Secretary for Management of the Department, ensure United States
Customs and Border Protection complies with Federal law, the Federal
Acquisition Regulation, and the Department’s acquisition management
directives for major acquisition programs of United States Customs and
Border Protection;
(12) enforce and administer—
(A) the Container Security Initiative program under section 205 of the Security and Accountability for
Every Port Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 945; Public Law 109–347); and
(B) the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program under sections 211 through 223 of such Act
(6 U.S.C. 961-973);
(13) establish the standard operating procedures described in subsection (k);
(14) carry out the training required under subsection (l); and
(15) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by law or delegated by the Secretary.
(d)
Deputy Commissioner
There shall be in United States Customs and Border Protection a Deputy Commissioner who shall
assist the Commissioner in the management of United States Customs and
Border Protection.
(e)
United States Border Patrol
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection the United States Border
Patrol.
(2)
Chief
There shall be at the head of the United States Border Patrol a Chief, who shall be a uniformed law
enforcement officer chosen from the ranks of the United States Border
Patrol and who shall report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The United States Border Patrol shall—
(A) serve as the law enforcement office of United States Customs and Border Protection with primary
responsibility for interdicting persons attempting to illegally enter or
exit the United States or goods being illegally imported to or exported
from the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry;
(B) deter and prevent illegal entry of terrorists, terrorist weapons, persons, and contraband; and
(C) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(f)
Office of Air and Marine Operations
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection an Office of Air and Marine
Operations.
(2)
Assistant commissioner
There shall be at the head of the Office of Air and Marine Operations an Assistant Commissioner,
who shall report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The Office of Air and Marine Operations shall—
(A) serve as the law enforcement office within United States Customs and Border Protection with primary
responsibility to detect, interdict, and prevent acts of terrorism and the
unlawful movement of people, illicit drugs, and other contraband across
the borders of the United States in the air and maritime environment;
(B) oversee the acquisition, maintenance, and operational use of United States Customs and Border
Protection integrated air and marine forces;
(C) provide aviation and marine support for other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agency
needs, as appropriate; and
(D) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(g)
Office of Field Operations
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection an Office of Field Operations.
(2)
Assistant commissioner
There shall be at the head of the Office of Field Operations an Assistant Commissioner, who shall
report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The Office of Field Operations shall coordinate the enforcement activities of United States Customs
and Border Protection at United States air, land, and sea ports of entry
to—
(A) deter and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States at such ports of
entry;
(B) conduct inspections at such ports of entry to safeguard the United States from terrorism and
illegal entry of persons;
(C) prevent illicit drugs, agricultural pests, and contraband from entering the United States;
(D) in coordination with the Commissioner, facilitate and expedite the flow of legitimate travelers and
trade;
(E) administer the National Targeting Center established under paragraph (4); and
(F) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(4)
National Targeting Center
(A)
In general
There is established in the Office of Field Operations a National Targeting Center.
(B)
Executive Director
There shall be at the head of the National Targeting Center an Executive Director, who shall report
to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations.
(C)
Duties
The National Targeting Center shall—
(i) serve as the primary forum for targeting operations within United States Customs and Border
Protection to collect and analyze traveler and cargo information in
advance of arrival in the United States;
(ii) identify, review, and target travelers and cargo for examination;
(iii) coordinate the examination of entry and exit of travelers and cargo; and
(iv) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Assistant Commissioner.
(5)
Annual report on staffing
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the
Assistant Commissioner shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on the staffing model for the Office of Field
Operations, including information on how many supervisors, front-line
United States Customs and Border Protection officers, and support
personnel are assigned to each Field Office and port of entry.
(h)
Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection an Office of Intelligence and
Investigative Liaison.
(2)
Assistant Commissioner
There shall be at the head of the Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison an Assistant
Commissioner, who shall report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison shall—
(A) develop, provide, coordinate, and implement intelligence capabilities into a cohesive intelligence
enterprise to support the execution of the United States Customs and
Border Protection duties and responsibilities;
(B) collect and analyze advance traveler and cargo information;
(C) establish, in coordination with the Chief Intelligence Officer of the Department, as appropriate,
intelligence-sharing relationships with Federal, State, local, and tribal
agencies and intelligence agencies; and
(D) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(i)
Office of International Affairs
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection an Office of International
Affairs.
(2)
Assistant Commissioner
There shall be at the head of the Office of International Affairs an Assistant Commissioner, who
shall report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The Office of International Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs of
the Department, shall—
(A) coordinate and support United States Customs and Border Protection’s foreign initiatives, policies,
programs, and activities;
(B) coordinate and support United States Customs and Border Protection’s personnel stationed abroad;
(C) maintain partnerships and information sharing agreements and arrangements with foreign governments,
international organizations, and United States agencies in support of
United States Customs and Border Protection duties and responsibilities;
(D) provide necessary capacity building, training, and assistance to foreign border control agencies to
strengthen global supply chain and travel security;
(E) coordinate mission support services to sustain United States Customs and Border Protection’s global
activities;
(F) coordinate, in collaboration with the Office of Policy of the Department, as appropriate, United
States Customs and Border Protection’s engagement in international
negotiations; and
(G) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(j)
Office of Internal Affairs
(1)
In general
There is established in United States Customs and Border Protection an Office of Internal Affairs.
(2)
Assistant Commissioner
There shall be at the head of the Office of Internal Affairs an Assistant Commissioner, who shall
report to the Commissioner.
(3)
Duties
The Office of Internal Affairs shall—
(A) investigate criminal and administrative matters and misconduct by officers, agents, and other
employees of United States Customs and Border Protection;
(B) perform investigations of United States Customs and Border Protection applicants and periodic
reinvestigations (in accordance with section 3001 of the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 3341; Public Law 108–458)) of officers, agents, and other employees of United States Custom and Border Protection,
including investigations to determine suitability for employment and
eligibility for access to classified information;
(C) conduct polygraph examinations in accordance with section 3(1) of the Anti-Border Corruption Act of
2010 (Public Law 111–376);
(D) perform inspections of United States Customs and Border Protection programs, operations, and
offices;
(E) conduct risk-based covert testing of United States Customs and Border Protection operations,
including for nuclear and radiological risks;
(F) manage integrity of United States Customs and Border Protection counter-intelligence operations,
including conduct of counter-intelligence investigations;
(G) conduct research and analysis regarding misconduct of officers, agents, and other employees of
United States Customs and Border Protection; and
(H) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by the Commissioner.
(k)
Standard operating procedures
(1)
In general
The Commissioner shall establish—
(A) standard operating procedures for searching, reviewing, retaining, and sharing information
contained in communication, electronic, or digital devices encountered by
United States Customs and Border Protection personnel at United States
ports of entry;
(B) standard use of force procedures officers and agents of United States Customs and Border Protection
may employ in the execution of their duties, including the use of deadly
force and procedures for deescalating confrontations, where possible;
(C) a uniform, standardized, and publically-available procedure for processing and investigating
complaints against officers, agents, and employees of United States
Customs and Border Protection for violations of professional conduct,
including the timely disposition of complaints and a written notification
to the complainant of the status or outcome, as appropriate, of the
related investigation, in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act or the Privacy Act of 1974);
(D) an internal, uniform reporting mechanism regarding incidents involving the use of deadly force by
an officer or agent of United States Customs and Border Protection,
including an evaluation of the degree to which the procedures required
under subparagraph (B) were followed; and
(E) standard operating procedures, acting through the Assistant Commissioner for Air and Marine
Operations and in coordination with the Office of Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties and the Office of Privacy of the Department, to provide command,
control, communication, surveillance, and reconnaissance assistance
through the use of unmanned aerial systems, including the establishment
of—
(i) a process for other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to submit mission requests;
(ii) a formal procedure to determine whether to approve or deny such a mission request;
(iii) a formal procedure to determine how such mission requests are prioritized and coordinated;
(iv) a process for establishing agreements with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies
regarding reimbursement for such mission costs; and
(v) a process regarding the protection and privacy of data and images collected by United States
Customs and Border Protection through the use of unmanned aerial systems.
(2)
Requirements regarding certain notifications
The standard operating procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall
require—
(A) in the case of a search of information conducted on an electronic device by United States Customs
and Border Protection personnel, the Commissioner to notify the individual
subject to such search of the purpose and authority for such search, and
how such individual may obtain information on reporting concerns about
such search; and
(B) in the case of information collected by United States Customs and Border Protection through a
search of an electronic device, if such information is transmitted to
another Federal agency for subject matter assistance, translation, or
decryption, the Commissioner to notify the individual subject to such
search of such transmission.
(3)
Exceptions
(A)
In general
The Commissioner may withhold the notifications required under paragraphs (1)(C) and (2) if the
Commissioner determines that such notifications would impair national
security, law enforcement, or other operational interests.
(B)
Terrorist watch lists
(i)
Searches
If the individual subject to search of an electronic device pursuant to subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1) is included on a Government-operated or
Government-maintained terrorist watch list, the notifications required
under paragraph (2) shall not apply.
(ii)
Complaints
If the complainant using the process established under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) is
included on a Government-operated or Government-maintained terrorist watch
list, the notification required under such subparagraph shall not apply.
(4)
Update and review
The Commissioner shall review and update every three years the standard operating procedures
required under this subsection.
(5)
Audits
The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall develop and annually administer
an auditing mechanism to review whether searches of electronic devices at
or between United States ports of entry are being conducted in conformity
with the standard operating procedures required under subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1). Such audits shall be submitted to the appropriate
congressional committees and shall include the following:
(A) A description of the activities of officers and agents of United States Customs and Border
Protection with respect to such searches.
(B) The number of such searches.
(C) The number of instances in which information contained in such devices that were subjected to such
searches was retained, copied, shared, or entered in an electronic
database.
(D) The number of such devices detained as the result of such searches.
(E) The number of instances in which information collected from such device was subjected to such
searches was transmitted to a another Federal agency, including whether
such transmission resulted in a prosecution or conviction.
(6)
Requirements regarding other notifications
The standard operating procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall
require—
(A) in the case of an incident of the use of deadly force by United States Customs and Border
Protection personnel, the Commissioner to notify the appropriate
congressional committees; and
(B) the Commissioner to provide to such committees a copy of the evaluation pursuant to subparagraph
(D) of such paragraph not later than 30 days after completion of such
evaluation.
(6)
Report on unmanned aerial systems
The Commissioner shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual report that
reviews whether the use of unmanned aerial systems are being conducted in
conformity with the standard operating procedures required under
subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1). Such reports—
(A) shall be submitted with the President’s annual budget;
(B) may be submitted in classified form if the Commissioner determines that such is appropriate, and
(C) shall include—
(i) a detailed description of how, where, and for how long data and images collected through the use of
unmanned aerial systems by United States Customs and Border Protection is
collected and stored; and
(ii) a list of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies that submitted mission requests in the
previous year and the disposition of such requests.
(l)
Training
(1)
In general
The Commissioner shall require all agents and officers of United States Customs and Border
Protection to participate in a specified amount of continuing education
(to be determined by the Commissioner) to maintain an understanding of
Federal legal rulings, court decisions, and departmental policies,
procedures, and guidelines.
(2)
Ensuring training
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commissioner shall
develop a database system that identifies for each United States Customs
and Border Protection officer or agent, by port of entry or station—
(A) for each training course, the average time allocated during on-duty hours within which training
must be completed;
(B) for each training course offered, the duration of training and the average amount of time an
officer must be absent from work to complete such training course; and
(C) certification of each training course by a supervising officer that the officer is able to carry
out the function for which the training was provided, and if training has
been postponed, the basis for postponing such training.
(3)
Use of data
The Commissioner shall use the information developed under paragraph (2) to—
(A) develop training requirements for United States Customs and Border Protection officers to ensure
that such officers have sufficient training to conduct primary and
secondary inspections at Untied States ports of entry; and
(B) measure progress toward achieving the training requirements referred to in subparagraph (A).
(m)
Short term detention standards
(1)
Access to food and water
The Commissioner shall make every effort to ensure that adequate access to food and water is
provided to an individual apprehended and detained by a United States
Border Patrol agent between a United States port of entry as soon as
practicable following the time of such apprehension or during subsequent
short term detention.
(2)
Access to information on detainee rights at border patrol processing centers
(A)
In general
The Commissioner shall ensure that an individual apprehended by a United States Border Patrol agent
is provided with information concerning such individual’s rights,
including the right to contact a representative of such individual’s
government for purposes of United States treaty obligations.
(B)
Form
The information referred to in subparagraph (A) may be provided either verbally or in writing, and
shall be posted in the detention holding cell in which such individual is
being held. The information shall be provided in a language understandable
to such individual.
(3)
Daytime repatriation
When practicable, repatriations shall be limited to daylight hours and avoid locations that are
determined to have high indices of crime and violence.
(4)
Short term detention defined
In this subsection, the term short term detention means detention in a United States Border Patrol processing center for 72 hours or less, before
repatriation to a country of nationality or last habitual residence.
(5)
Report on procurement process and standards
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees
a report on the procurement process and standards of entities with which
United States Customs and Border Protection has contracts for the
transportation and detention of individuals apprehended by agents or
officers of United States Customs and Border Protection. Such report
should also consider the operational efficiency of contracting the
transportation and detention of such individuals.
(6)
Report on inspections of short-term custody facilities
The Commissioner shall—
(A) annually inspect all facilities utilized for short term detention; and
(B) make publically available information collected pursuant to such inspections, including information
regarding the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) and, where
appropriate, issue recommendations to improve the conditions of such
facilities.
(n)
Wait times transparency
(1)
In general
The Commissioner shall—
(A) publish live wait times at the 20 United States airports that support the highest volume of
international travel (as determined by available Federal flight data);
(B) make information about such wait times available to the public in real time through the United
States Customs and Border Protection Web site;
(C) submit to the appropriate congressional committees quarterly reports that include compilations of
all such wait times and a ranking of such United States airports by wait
times; and
(D) provide adequate staffing at the United States Customs and Border Protection information center to
ensure timely access for travelers attempting to submit comments or speak
with a representative about their entry experiences.
(2)
Calculation
The wait times referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall be determined by calculating the time elapsed
between an individual’s entry into the United States Customs and Border
Protection inspection area and such individual’s clearance by a United
States Customs and Border Protection officer.
(o)
Other authorities
(1)
In general
The Secretary may establish such other offices or Assistant Commissioners (or other similar
officers or officials) as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out
the missions, duties, functions, and authorities of United States Customs
and Border Protection.
(2)
Notification
If the Secretary exercises the authority provided pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
notify the appropriate congressional committees not later than 30 days
before exercising such authority.
(p)
Other Federal agencies
Nothing in this section may be construed as affecting in any manner the existing authority of any
other Federal agency, including the Transportation Security Administration
with respect to the duties of United States Customs and Border Protection
described in subsection (c).
.
(b)
Special rules
(1)
Treatment
Section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a) of this section,
shall be treated as if included in such Act as of the date of the
enactment of such Act, and, in addition to the functions, missions,
duties, and authorities specified in such amended section 411, United
States Customs and Border Protection shall continue to perform and carry
out the functions, missions, duties, and authorities under section 411 of
such Act as in existence on the day before such date of enactment, and
section 415 of such Act.
(2)
Rules of construction
(A)
Rules and regulations
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), nothing in this Act may be construed as affecting in any manner any
rule or regulation issued or promulgated pursuant to any provision of law,
including section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 as in existence
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, and any such rule
or regulation shall continue to have full force and effect on and after
such date.
(B)
Other actions
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), nothing in this Act may be construed as affecting in any manner any
action, determination, policy, or decision pursuant to section 411 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 as in existence on the day before the date
of the enactment of this Act, and any such action, determination, policy,
or decision shall continue to have full force and effect on and after such
date.
(c)
Continuation in office
(1)
Commissioner
The individual serving as the Commissioner of Customs on the day before the date of the enactment
of this Act may serve as the Commissioner of United States Customs and
Border Protection on and after such date of enactment until a Commissioner
of United States Customs and Border Protection is appointed under section
411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a) of
this section.
(2)
Other positions
The individuals serving as Assistant Commissioners and other officers and officials under section
411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act may serve as the appropriate Assistant Commissioners
and other officers and officials under such section 411 as amended by
subsection (a) of this section unless the Commissioner of United States
Customs and Border Protection determines that another individual should
hold such position or positions.
(d)
Reference
(1)
Title 5
Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security and inserting Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
(2)
Other references
On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, any reference in law or regulations to the Commissioner of Customs or the Commissioner of the Customs Service shall be deemed to be a reference to the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border
Protection.
(e)
Clerical amendment
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by striking the item relating to section 411 and inserting the following new item:
Sec. 411. Establishment of United States Customs and Border Protection; Commissioner, Deputy
Commissioner, and operational offices.
.
3.
Repeals
Sections 416, 418, and 443 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 216, 218, and 253), and the items relating to such sections in the table of contents in section 1(b)
of such Act, are repealed.
4.
Clerical and conforming amendments
(a)
In general
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended—
(1) in title I—
(A) in section 102(f)(10) (6 U.S.C. 112(f)(10)), by striking the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security and inserting Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection; and
(B) in section 103(a)(1) (6 U.S.C. 113(a)(1))—
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking An Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security. and inserting A Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection.; and
(ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking A Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement. and inserting A Director for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.; and
(2) in title IV—
(A) by striking the title heading and inserting Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security;
(B) in subtitle A—
(i) by striking the subtitle heading and inserting Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security Responsibilities and Functions; and
(ii) in section 402 (6 U.S.C. 202)—
(I) in the section heading, by striking Responsibilities and inserting Border, Maritime, and Transportation Responsibilities; and
(II) by striking , acting through the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security,;
(C) in subtitle B—
(i) by striking the subtitle heading and inserting United States Customs and Border Protection;
(ii) in section 412(b) (6 U.S.C. 212), by striking United States Customs Service each place it appears and inserting United States Customs and Border Protection;
(iii) in section 413 (6 U.S.C. 213), by striking available to the United States Customs Service or;
(iv) in section 414 (6 U.S.C. 214), by striking United States Customs Service and inserting United States Customs and Border Protection; and
(v) in section 415 (6 U.S.C. 215)—
(I) in paragraph (7), by inserting before the colon the following: , and of United States Customs and Border Protection on the day before the effective date of the
United States Customs and Border Protection Authorization Act; and
(II) in paragraph (8), by inserting before the colon the following: , and of United States Customs and Border Protection on the day before the effective date of the
United States Customs and Border Protection Authorization Act;
(D) in subtitle C—
(i) by striking section 424 (6 U.S.C. 234) and inserting the following new section:
424.
Preservation of Transportation Security Administration as a distinct entity
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Transportation Security Administration shall
be maintained as a distinct entity within the Department.
; and
(ii) in section 430 (6 U.S.C. 238)—
(I) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
(a)
Establishment
There is established in the Department an Office for Domestic Preparedness.
;
(II) in subsection (b), by striking the second sentence; and
(III) in subsection (c)(7), by striking Directorate and inserting Department; and
(E) in subtitle D—
(i) in section 441 (6 U.S.C. 251)—
(I) by striking the section heading and inserting Transfer of functions; and
(II) by striking Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security and inserting Secretary; and
(ii) by amending section 444 (6 U.S.C. 254) to read as follows:
444.
Employee discipline
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may impose disciplinary action on any
employee of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United
States Customs and Border Protection who willfully deceives Congress or
agency leadership on any matter.
.
(b)
Conforming amendments
Section 401 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 201) is repealed.
(c)
Clerical amendments
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended—
(1) by striking the item relating to title IV and inserting the following:
Title IV—Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security
;
(2) by striking the item relating to subtitle A of title IV and inserting the following:
Subtitle A—Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security Responsibilities and Functions
;
(3) by striking the item relating to section 401;
(4) by striking the item relating to subtitle B of title IV and inserting the following:
Subtitle B—United States Customs and Border Protection
;
(5) by striking the item relating to section 441 and inserting the following:
Sec. 441. Transfer of functions.
;
and
(6) by striking the item relating to section 442 and inserting the following:
Sec. 442. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
.
5.
Reports and assessments
(a)
Report on contract management acquisition and procurement personnel
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, the
Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection shall submit
to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
a report on—
(1) the number of contract management acquisition and procurement personnel assigned to the Office of
Technology Innovation and Acquisition (or successor office) of United
States Customs and Border Protection, categorized by position;
(2) the average aggregate value of the contracts each contract officer, contract specialist, and
contract officer representative employee is responsible for managing; and
(3) the number of additional acquisition and procurement personnel, categorized by position, and
contract management specialists United States Customs and Border
Protection would need to ensure compliance with Federal acquisition
standards, departmental management directives, and United States Customs
and Border Protection contracting needs.
(b)
Report on migrant deaths
Not later 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United States
Customs and Border Protection shall, to the extent practicable, make
publically available information that the United States Border Patrol has
collected on migrant deaths occurring along the United States-Mexico
border, including information on the following:
(1) The number of documented migrant deaths.
(2) The location where such migrant deaths occurred.
(3) To the extent possible, the cause of death for each migrant.
(4) The extent to which border technology, physical barriers, and enforcement programs have contributed
to such migrant deaths.
(5) A description of United States Customs and Border Protection programs or plans to reduce the number
of migrant deaths along the border, including an assessment on the
effectiveness of water supply sites and rescue beacons.
(c)
Report on Business Transformation Initiative
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on United
States Customs and Border Protection’s Business Transformation Initiative,
including locations where the Initiative is deployed, the types of
equipment utilized, a description of protocols and procedures, information
on wait times at such locations since deployment, and information
regarding the schedule for deployment at new locations.
(d)
Report on unaccompanied alien children apprehended at the border
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the
Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection shall submit
to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
a report on unaccompanied alien children apprehended at the borders of the
United States. Such report shall include the following:
(1) Information on the number, nationality, age, and location of the apprehensions of such
unaccompanied alien children in the current fiscal year and for each of
the three prior fiscal years.
(2) The average length of time an unaccompanied alien child is in the custody of United States Customs
and Border Protection before being transferred to the custody of another
Federal agency in the current fiscal year and for each of three prior
fiscal years.
(3) A description of current and planned activities to discourage efforts to bring unaccompanied alien
children to the United States without authorization.
(4) A description of training provided to officers and agents of United States Customs and Border
Protection regarding unaccompanied alien children, including the number of
such officers and agents who are so trained.
(5) An assessment of the existing officers, agents, and resources of United States Customs and Border
Protection being utilized to address unaccompanied alien children.
(6) An assessment of whether current facilities utilized by United States Customs and Border Protection
to house unaccompanied alien children are adequate to comply with all
applicable laws, regulations, and standards regarding housing, feeding,
and providing medical care for such children.
(7) An identification and assessment of the factors causing unaccompanied alien children to migrate to
the United States, including an assessment of how perceptions of
enforcement policies and economic and social conditions, including
incidents of violence, in countries of origin or last habitual residence
may be attributed to a rise in attempted entries into the United States.
(8) Information on United States Border Patrol resources spent to care for unaccompanied alien children
in the custody of the United States Border Patrol, including the number of
United States Border Patrol agents assigned to care for unaccompanied
alien children.
(9) Future estimates of Department of Homeland Security resources needed to care for expected increases
in unaccompanied alien children.
(10) An identification of any operational or policy challenges impacting the Department of Homeland
Security as a result of any expected increase in unaccompanied alien
children.
(11) Information on any additional resources necessary to carry out United States Customs and Border
Protection’s responsibilities with respect to unaccompanied alien
children.
(e)
Port of entry infrastructure needs assessments
Not later 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United States
Customs and Border Protection shall assess the physical infrastructure and
technology needs at the 20 busiest land ports of entry (as measured by
United States Customs and Border Protection) with a particular attention
to identify ways to—
(1) improve travel and trade facilitation;
(2) reduce wait times;
(3) improve physical infrastructure and conditions for individuals accessing pedestrian ports of entry;
(4) enter into long-term leases with nongovernmental and private sector entities;
(5) enter into lease-purchase agreements with nongovernmental and private sector entities; and
(6) achieve cost savings through leases described in paragraphs (4) and (5).
(f)
Unmanned aerial systems strategy
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy for
its Unmanned Aerial Systems program. Such strategy shall include, at a
minimum, the following:
(1) The mission and goals of such program.
(2) The expected level of unmanned aerial systems operations.
(3) The funding and anticipated stakeholder needs and resource requirements of such program.
(g)
Report on biometric exit data capability at airports
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the
efforts of United States Customs and Border Protection, in conjunction
with the Directorate Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland
Security, to evaluate technologies to provide a biometric exit capability
at airports. Such report shall include the technologies tested, the
results of such tests to date, plans for any future testing, and a
schedule of anticipated deployment of those or other technologies.
(h)
CBP officer training
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the
current capacity of United States Customs and Border Protection to hire,
train, and deploy additional United States Customs and Border Protection
officers, including an assessment of any additional resources necessary to
hire, train, and deploy United States Customs and Border Protection
officers to meet staffing needs, as identified by the United States
Customs and Border Protection staffing model.
(i)
Report on the security of United States international borders
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall develop and implement specific
metrics for measuring the status of security of United States
international borders at and between ports of entry, including measuring
the effectiveness of current border security resource allocations
uniformly across all United States Customs and Border Protection sectors,
informed by input from individuals and relevant stakeholders who live and
work near such borders, and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on such metrics and such
status.
(j)
Personal searches
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of United
States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on
supervisor-approved personal searches conducted in the previous year by
United States Customs and Border Protection personnel. Such report shall
include the number of personal searches conducted in each sector and field
office, the number of invasive personal searches conducted in each sector
and field office, whether personal searches were conducted by Office of
Field Operations or United States Border Patrol personnel, and how many
personal searches resulted in the discovery of contraband.
6.
International initiatives
(a)
North and Central American border security cooperation initiative
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall engage with
the appropriate officials of the Government of Canada and the Government
of Mexico to assess the specific needs of the countries of Central America
to maintain the security of the international borders of such countries
and determine the support needed by such countries from the United States,
Canada, and Mexico, to meet such needs.
(b)
Caribbean cooperation initiative
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall engage with
appropriate officials of the governments of the countries of the Caribbean
to establish a program to assess the specific needs of such countries to
address the unique challenges of maritime border security.
(c)
Mexico’s southern border security initiative
The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall engage with
appropriate officials of the Government of Mexico to assess the specific
needs to help secure Mexico’s southern border from undocumented aliens,
drugs, weapons and other contraband.
(d)
Reporting
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on the assessment of needs
carried out under this section.
7.
Treatment of certain applications for port of entry status
The Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection shall give priority consideration
to an application for port of entry status submitted by any commercial
airport if such airport served at least 100,000 deplaned international
passengers in the previous calendar year.
8.
Trusted traveler programs
The Secretary of Homeland Security may not enter into or renew an agreement with the government of
a foreign country for a trusted traveler program administered by United
States Customs and Border Protection unless the Secretary certifies in
writing that such government—
(1) routinely submits to INTEPOL for inclusion in INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database
information about lost and stolen passports and travel documents of the
citizens and nationals of such country; or
(2) makes available to the United States Government the information described in paragraph (1) through
another means of reporting.
9.
Sense of Congress regarding the Foreign Language Award Program
(a)
Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) Congress established the Foreign Language Award Program (FLAP) to incentivize employees at United
States ports of entry to utilize their foreign language skills on the job
by providing a financial incentive for the use of the foreign language for
at least ten percent of their duties after passage of competency tests.
FLAP incentivizes the use of more than two dozen languages and has been
instrumental in identifying and utilizing United States Customs and Border
Protection officers and agents who are proficient in a foreign language.
(2) In 1993, Congress provided for dedicated funding for this program by stipulating that certain fees
collected by United States Customs and Border Protection to fund FLAP.
(3) Through FLAP, foreign travelers are aided by having an officer at a port of entry who speaks their
language, and United States Customs and Border Protection benefits by
being able to focus its border security efforts in a more effective
manner.
(b)
Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that FLAP incentivizes United States Customs and Border Protection
officers and agents to attain and maintain competency in a foreign
language, thereby improving the efficiency of operations for the
functioning of United States Customs and Border Protection’s security
mission, making the United States a more welcoming place when foreign
travelers find officers can communicate in their language, and helping to
expedite traveler processing to reduce wait times.
10.
Prohibition on new appropriations
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments made
by this Act, and this Act and such amendments shall be carried out using
amounts otherwise made available for such purposes.
Passed the House of Representatives July 28, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk