,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bdjg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #aa1 #bjag,mr4 ,goodlatte introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,homeland ,security1 and ,education and the ,workforce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb to establish ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services ,authorization ,act4 #b4 ,establishment of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services ,section #dea of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bga7 is amended to read as follows3 #dea4 ,establishment of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,department an agency to be known as ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 ,the mission of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services is to efficiently adjudicate petitions and applications for immigration benefits for foreign nationals seeking lawful immigration status in the ,united ,states and for individuals seeking to become citizens of the ,united ,states in a manner that detects and prevents fraud1 protects the jobs and working conditions of ,american workers1 and ensures the national security and welfare of the ,american people4 7b7 ,director ,there shall be at the head of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,director of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,director7 who shall-- 7#a7 report directly to the ,secretary2 7#b7 have at least #e years of management experience2 7#c7 establish the policies and priorities of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 7#d7 advise the ,secretary of any policy or operation that affects1 in a significant manner1 the mission of another ,department component agency2 7#e7 carry out the adjudication of immigration and naturalization benefits applications and petitions within the ,director's statutory authority2 and 7#f7 carry out further duties prescribed by statute1 or as assigned or delegated by the ,secretary1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7c7 ,deputy director ,there shall be a ,deputy ,director of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services who shall assist the ,director in carrying out the ,director's duties4 7d7 ,office of the chief counsel ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,office of the ,chief ,counsel4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,office of the ,chief ,counsel a ,chief ,counsel who shall-- 7#a7 provide specialized legal advice1 opinions1 determinations1 draft regulations1 and other assistance to the ,director with respect to legal matters affecting ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 and 7#b7 represent ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services in visa petition appeal proceedings when applicable4 7e7 ,office of policy and strategy ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,office of ,policy and ,strategy4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,office of ,policy and ,strategy a ,chief who shall-- 7#a7 develop ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services policy recommendations for the ,director2 7#b7 develop strategy for policy implementation2 and 7#c7 carry out additional duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7f7 ,office of citizenship ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,office of ,citizenship4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,office of ,citizenship a ,chief who shall-- 7#a7 promote instruction and training on citizenship responsibilities1 as well as assimilation1 for eligible aliens who are interested in becoming naturalized citizens of the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 carry out additional duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7g7 ,fraud detection and national security directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,fraud ,detection and ,national ,security ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,fraud ,detection and ,national ,security ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall seek to prevent immigration benefits from being granted to individuals who pose a threat to national security or public safety1 or who defraud the immigration system1 in a manner that is consistent with the immigration laws 7as such term is defined in section #aja7;a77#ag7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ag7774 7h7 ,external affairs directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,external ,affairs ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,external ,affairs ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall-- 7#a7 oversee and coordinate official ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services communications to both internal and external audiences1 including applicants1 petitioners1 and beneficiaries of petitions for immigration benefits provided by ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 the legislative branch1 and the general public2 and 7#b7 carry out additional duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7i7 ,immigration records and identity services directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,immigration ,records and ,identity ,services ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,immigration ,records and ,identity ,services ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall-- 7#a7 manage the operation of an employment eligibility verification system as provided for by section #djd of the ,illegal ,immigration and ,immigrant ,responsibility ,act of #aiif 7,u4,s4,c4 #acbd;a note7 or any successor system2 7#b7 manage the operation of the ,systematic ,alien ,verification for ,entitlements ,program1 or its successor program1 designed to assist ,federal1 ,state1 and local benefit-issuing agencies1 institutions1 and licensing agencies in determining the immigration status of benefit applicants so only those legally entitled to benefits receive them2 7#c7 manage the biometric services provided to ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services components2 7#d7 manage immigration records and provide information regarding such records to stakeholders2 and 7#e7 carry out further duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7j7 ,field operations directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,field ,operations ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,field ,operations ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall-- 7#a7 oversee all ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services field offices2 7#b7 oversee the adjudication of immigration benefits and naturalization applications and petitions1 applicant interviews1 naturalization ceremonies1 and background checks for applicants1 petitioners1 and beneficiaries of petitions for benefits2 7#c7 ensure the integrity of processing that occurs at the field offices2 and 7#d7 carry out further duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7k7 ,refugee1 asylum and international operations directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,refugee1 ,asylum and ,international ,operations ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,refugee1 ,asylum and ,international ,operations ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall-- 7#a7 oversee refugee application adjudication and interviews2 7#b7 oversee asylum application adjudication and interviews2 7#c7 ensure the integrity of application processing that occurs under the ,refugee1 ,asylum and ,international ,operations ,directorate's authority2 and 7#d7 carry out further duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7l7 ,service center operations directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,service ,center ,operations ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,service ,center ,operations ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall-- 7#a7 oversee and manage the ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services ,service ,centers responsible for adjudicating petitions that do not require applicant interviews2 7#b7 ensure the integrity of processing that occurs at the ,service ,centers2 and 7#c7 carry out further duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7m7 ,management directorate ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services a ,management ,directorate4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,management ,directorate an ,associate ,director who shall carry out management duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7n7 ,office of professional responsibility ,there is established within ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services an ,office of ,professional ,responsibility4 ,there shall be at the head of the ,office of ,professional ,responsibility a ,chief who shall-- 7#a7 ensure compliance with all ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services programs and policies relating to corruption1 misconduct1 or mismanagement2 7#b7 investigate allegations of misconduct involving officials or employees of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 and 7#c7 carry out further duties as assigned or delegated by the ,director1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7o7 ,authority ,to establish additional offices ,the ,director may establish other offices1 directorates1 and officers1 including ,associate ,directors1 as the ,director determines necessary to carry out the duties of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 which are within the statutory authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 4 #c4 ,administrative ,appeals ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 all appellate functions of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services shall be carried out by the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 who shall establish a component within the ,department of ,homeland ,security to carry out such functions4 #d4 ,repealed provisions ,sections #dei1 #dfj1 and #dfa of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bgf1 #bgg1 and #bgh7 are repealed4 #e4 ,conforming and clerical amendments 7a7 ,conforming ,amendments 7#a7 ,immigration and ,nationality ,act ,the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7 is amended by striking the ,bureau of ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services each place it appears and inserting ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7#b7 ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb ,the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #aja7 is amended by striking the ,bureau of ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services each place it appears and inserting ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7#c7 ,title #e ,section #ecad of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the ,bureau of ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services and inserting ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7#d7 ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh ,subsection 7e7 of section #h;,i of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #h;,i7 is amended by striking the ,bureau of ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services and inserting ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7b7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the item relating to section #dea and inserting the following3 #dea4 ,establishment of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 2 and 7#b7 by striking the items relating to sections #dei1 #dfj1 and #dfa4 #f4 ,e-verify permanent authorization ,subsection 7b7 of section #dja of the ,illegal ,immigration ,reform and ,immigrant ,responsibility ,act of #aiif 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #acbd;a note7 is amended by striking the last sentence4 #g4 ,transparency 7a7 ,in general ,officials and employees of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services shall act impartially and may not give preferential treatment to any entity1 organization1 or individual in connection with the adjudication of any immigration benefit under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7b7 ,improper activities ,activities that constitute preferential treatment under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 working on1 or in any way attempting to influence1 in a manner not available to or accorded to all other petitioners1 applicants1 and seekers of benefits1 the adjudication of immigration benefits under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services2 and 7#b7 meeting or communicating with persons associated with the entities described in paragraph 7#a71 at the request of such persons1 in a manner not available to or accorded to all other petitioners1 applicants1 or seekers of benefits1 regarding the adjudication of immigration benefits under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services4 7c7 ,reporting of communications 7#a7 ,written communication ,employees of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services shall include1 in the record of proceeding for a case under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 actual or electronic copies of all case-specific written communication1 including e-mails1 from government and private accounts1 with non-,department persons or entities advocating for benefit applications or petitions under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services that are pending on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act 7other than routine communications with other agencies of the ,federal ,government regarding the case1 including communications involving background checks and litigation defense74 7#b7 ,oral communication ,if substantive oral communication1 including telephonic communication1 virtual communication1 and in-person meetings1 takes place between officials of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services and non-,department persons or entities advocating for benefit applications or petitions under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services that are pending on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act 7other than routine communications with other agencies of the ,federal ,government regarding the case1 including communications involving background checks and litigation defense7-- 7,a7 the conversation shall be recorded2 or 7,b7 detailed minutes of the session shall be taken and included in the record of proceeding4 7#c7 ,notification 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,director of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 in the course of written or oral communication described in this subsection1 receives evidence about a specific case from anyone other than an affected party or his or her representative 7excluding ,federal ,government or law enforcement sources71 such information may not be made part of the record of proceeding and may not be considered in adjudicative proceedings unless-- 7i7 the affected party has been given notice of such evidence2 and 7ii7 if such evidence is derogatory1 the affected party has been given an opportunity to respond to the evidence4 7,b7 ,information from law enforcement1 intelligence agencies1 or confidential sources 7i7 ,law enforcement or intelligence agencies ,evidence received from law enforcement or intelligence agencies may not be made part of the record of proceeding without the consent of the relevant agency or law enforcement entity4 7ii7 ,whistleblowers1 confidential sources1 or intelligence agencies ,evidence received from whistleblowers1 other confidential sources1 or the intelligence community that is included in the record of proceeding and considered in adjudicative proceedings shall be handled in a manner that does not reveal the identity of the whistleblower or confidential source1 or reveal classified information4 7d7 ,consideration of evidence 7#a7 ,in general ,no case-specific communication with persons or entities that are not part of the ,department of ,homeland ,security may be considered in the adjudication of an application or petition under the authority of ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services unless the communication is included in the record of proceeding of the case4 7#b7 ,waiver ,the ,director may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 only in the interests of national security or for investigative or law enforcement purposes4 7e7 ,penalty 7#a7 ,in general ,any person who intentionally violates the prohibition on preferential treatment under this section or intentionally violates the reporting requirements under subsection 7c7 shall be disciplined in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,sanctions ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director shall establish a graduated set of sanctions based on the severity of the violation referred to in paragraph 7#a71 which may include1 in addition to any criminal or civil penalties that may be imposed1 written reprimand1 suspension1 demotion1 or removal1 as permitted by statute4 7f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to modify any law regarding the handling or disclosure of classified information4 7g7 ,no creation of private right of action ,nothing in this section may be construed to create or authorize a private right of action to challenge a decision of an employee of the ,department of ,homeland ,security4 #h4 ,fee for ,international ,adoption ,in the case of the rule related to the ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services ,fee ,schedule published on ,october #bd1 #bjaf 7#ha ,fed4 ,reg4 #gcbib71 any provision of that rule that pertains to the fee provided for the ,application for ,certificate of ,citizenship1 ,forms ,n-#fjj_/fjj,k shall have no effect in the case of an application filed on behalf of an adopted child1 and the applicable fee for such application shall remain the fee in effect prior to the effective date of the rule4 ,united ,states ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services shall refund any fee paid prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act for an application filed on behalf of an adopted child pursuant to the fee schedule published on ,october #bd1 #bjaf1 to the extent that the amount paid exceeded the amount of such fee prior to the effective date of the rule described in the previous sentence4