,,ii  #aaeth ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 #cdgh  ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of     
,,the ,,united ,,states  ,september #ah1
 #bjah ,mr4 ,johnson introduced the     
following bill2 which was read twice and
 referred to the ,committee on ,homeland
 ,security and ,governmental ,affairs   
,a ,,bill  ,to require the ,secretary of
 ,homeland ,security to develop a       
comprehensive strategy for maintaining  
situational awareness and operational   
control of high traffic areas along the 
borders1 to address the protective      
custody of alien children accompanied by
 parents1 to strengthen accountability  
for deployment of border security       
technology at the ,department of        
,homeland ,security1 to encourage       
,federal agencies to coordinate on      
research and the development of         
technology to combat illicit opioid     
importation1 to establish a narcotic    
drug screening technology pilot program 
to combat illicit opioid importation1   
and for other purposes4  #a4 ,short     

titles2 table of contents  7a7 ,short   
titles ,this ,act may be cited as the   
,fixing ,america's ,marred ,immigration 
,laws to ,improve and ,ensure ,security 
or the ,,families ,act4  7b7 ,table of  
contents ,the table of contents for this
 ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short   
titles2 table of contents4 ,,title      
,i--,department of ,homeland ,security  
,accountability to ,congress ,sec4 #aja4
 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,inspections1
 oversight1 and studies4 ,sec4 #ajc4    
,reporting requirements4 ,sec4 #ajd4    
,maritime border security review4       
,,title ,,ii--,border ,security         
,technology ,accountability ,sec4 #bja4 
,short title4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,border       
security technology accountability4     
,sec4 #bjc4 ,prohibition on additional  
authorization of appropriations4 ,,title
 ,,iii--,secure ,mail ,initiative ,sec4 
#cja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #cjb4         
,definitions4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,offering     
,hold for ,pickup and ,signature        
,confirmation services under the ,secure

 ,mail ,initiative4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,report4
 ,,title ,,iv--,hiring and ,retention   
,sec4 #dja4 ,short titles4 ,sec4 #djb4  
,flexibility in employment authorities4 
,,title ,v--,anti-,border ,corruption   
,sec4 #eja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #ejb4   
,hiring flexibility4 ,sec4 #ejc4        
,supplemental ,commissioner authority   
and definitions4 ,,title ,,vi--,keeping 
,families ,together ,while ,enforcing   
the ,law ,sec4 #fja4 ,short title4 ,sec4
 #fjb4 ,family unification4 ,sec4 #fjc4 
,additional family residential center   
capacity4 ,sec4 #fjd4 ,emergency        
immigration judge resources4  ,i        
,department of ,homeland ,security      
,accountability to ,congress  #aja4     
,definitions ,in this ,act3  7#a7       
,appropriate congressional committees   
,the term appropriate congressional     
committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee  
on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental
 ,affairs of the ,senate2 and  7,b7 the 
,committee on ,homeland ,security of the
 ,house of ,representatives4  7#b7      

,criminal alien ,the term criminal alien
 means an alien--  7,a7 who has been    
charged and convicted of a crime that is
 the basis for the alien's removal under
 the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 
7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq472 or  7,b7  
whose criminal conviction has been      
recorded in the ,deportable ,alien      
,control ,system and involves a crime   
that renders the alien removable4  7#c7 
,family unit ,the term family unit means
 a group of individuals consisting of #a
 or #b parents and #a or more of their  
minor children4  7#d7 ,maritime border  
,the term maritime border means--  7,a7 
the transit zone2 and  7,b7 the borders 
and territorial waters of ,puerto ,rico 
and the ,united ,states ,virgin         
,islands4  7#e7 ,secretary ,the term    
,secretary means the ,secretary of      
,homeland ,security4  7#f7 ,transit zone
 ,the term transit zone means the sea   
corridors of the western ,atlantic      
,ocean1 the ,gulf of ,mexico1 the       
,caribbean ,sea1 and the eastern        

,pacific ,ocean through which           
undocumented migrants and illicit drugs 
transit1 either directly or indirectly1 
to the ,united ,states4  7#g7           
,unaccompanied alien child ,the term    
unaccompanied alien child has the       
meaning given such term in section      
#dfb7;g7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act
 of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bgi7;g774      
#ajb4 ,inspections1 oversight1 and      
studies  7a7 ,family detention centers  
7#a7 ,inspections ,the ,secretary shall 
inspect the conditions of family        
detention centers1 including--  7,a7 the
 ,karnes ,county ,residential ,center2  
7,b7 the ,south ,texas ,family          
,residential ,center2  7,c7 the ,berks  
,family ,residential ,center2 and  7,d7 
any other facilities used by ,u4,s4     
,immigration and ,customs ,enforcement  
to house families awaiting immigration  
hearings4  7#b7 ,report ,not later than 
#ahj days after the date of the         
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall submit a report to the appropriate

 congressional committees that includes 
the findings of the inspections required
 under paragraph 7#a74  7b7 ,,oig       
oversight ,the ,inspector ,general of   
the ,department of ,health and ,human   
,services1 in conjunction with the      
,inspector ,general of the ,department  
of ,homeland ,security1 and after       
consultation with the ,director of      
,u4,s4 ,immigration and ,customs        
,enforcement1 shall--  7#a7 investigate 
allegations of abuse of unaccompanied   
alien children in juvenile detention    
centers2  7#b7 examine the effectiveness
 and costs of alternatives to detention2
 and  7#c7 submit a report containing   
the findings of such investigations and 
examinations to--  7,a7 the ,secretary2 
7,b7 the appropriate congressional      
committees2  7,c7 the ,committee on the 
,judiciary of the ,senate2 and  7,d7 the
 ,committee on the ,judiciary of the    
,house of ,representatives4  7c7 ,,gao  
study ,the ,comptroller ,general of the 
,united ,states shall conduct a study   

of-- 7#a7 wait times for immigration    
hearings for family units1 including    
time spent in family detention1 and wait
 times for asylum claim hearings2 and   
7#b7 the root causes of family          
migration1 including-- 7,a7 the         
countries of origin of families         
attempting to enter the ,united ,states2
  7,b7 changes in economic1 political1  
social conditions in such countries     
during the #aj years immediately        
preceding the date of the enactment of  
this ,act2 and  7,c7 the role of        
perceptions of immigration law and      
social media on the flow of immigration4
  7d7 ,savings provision ,nothing in    
this section may be construed to preempt
 any other ,federal agency1 including   
the ,office for ,civil ,rights and      
,civil ,liberties1 from investigating   
allegations of abuse of children in     
juvenile detention centers4  #ajc4      
,reporting requirements  7a7 ,monthly   
reports ,the ,secretary1 acting through 
the ,under ,secretary of ,homeland      

,security for ,management1 and in       
coordination with the heads of other    
,federal ,government agencies1 shall    
submit a monthly report to the          
appropriate congressional committees    
that identifies1 for the report month-- 
7#a7 with respect to apprehensions by   
the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 
the number of-- 7,a7 family units1      
broken down by ,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol   
sector2  7,b7 family units originating  
from ,el ,salvador1 ,guatemala1 or      
,honduras1 broken down by country and   
,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol sector2  7,c7    
unaccompanied alien children1 broken    
down by ,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol sector   
and gang affiliation2 and  7,d7         
unaccompanied alien children originating
 from ,el ,salvador1 ,guatemala1 or     
,honduras1 broken down by country of    
origin1 ,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol sector1  
and gang affiliation2  7#b7 with respect
 to children who were separated from    
their parents by the ,department of     
,homeland ,security--  7,a7 the number  

of such children1 broken down by age and
 by country of origin2  7,b7 whether the
 family unit crossed at a port of entry 
or between ports of entry2  7,c7 the    
number of such children who were        
suspected of being subjected to human   
trafficking2  7,d7 the reasons for      
separating children who crossed at a    
port of entry from their parents2  7,e7 
the number of such children who crossed 
the border illegally2  7,f7 the number  
of such children who made an asylum     
claim1 or on whose behalf an asylum     
claim was made2 and  7,g7 the number of 
such children who were accompanied by a 
parent who had previously crossed the   
border illegally2  7#c7 with respect to 
aliens who requested asylum in the      
,united ,states under section #bjh of   
the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act  
7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeh7--  7,a7 the number 
of asylum requests received based on an 
assertion of a credible fear of         
persecution or torture on account of the
 alien's race1 religion1 nationality1   

membership in a particular social group1
 or political opinion if the alien is   
returned to his or her country of       
nationality2  7,b7 the number of asylum 
requests granted2  7,c7 the number of   
asylum requests denied1 broken down by  
the reason for the denial2  7,d7 the    
number of asylum claims abandoned or    
withdrawn2 and  7,e7 the average time   
between the date on which an alien      
requested asylum because of an asserted 
fear of returning to his or her country 
of nationality and the date on which the
 alien was granted or denied asylum     
based on such request1 broken down      
between affirmative and defensive       
requests for asylum2 and  7#d7 with     
respect to aliens who were ordered      
removed from the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 
the number of removal orders issued for 
unaccompanied alien children1 adults1   
and family units1 respectively2  7,b7   
the number of removal orders issued in  
absentia for unaccompanied alien        
children1 adults1 and family units1     

respectively2 and  7,c7 the number of   
effectuated removal orders issued for   
unaccompanied alien children1 adults1   
and family units1 respectively4  7b7    
,quarterly reports ,the ,secretary1     
working through the ,under ,secretary of
 ,homeland ,security for ,management1   
and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human
 ,services1 in coordination with the    
heads of appropriate ,federal           
,government agencies1 shall jointly     
submit a quarterly report to the        
appropriate congressional committees    
that identifies1 for the report         
quarter--  7#a7 the number of beds that 
are available for unaccompanied alien   
children in the custody of the          
,department of ,health and ,human       
,services2  7#b7 the actual number of   
beds available for family units to use  
in facilities operated by1 or through a 
contract with1 the ,department of       
,homeland ,security or the ,department  
of ,health and ,human ,services2  7#c7  
of the unaccompanied alien children     

processed by the ,department of         
,homeland ,security or the ,department  
of ,health and ,human ,services--  7,a7 
the number of children referred to the  
,office of ,refugee ,resettlement by the
 ,department of ,homeland ,security2    
7,b7 the average length of stay of a    
child in shelter care2  7,c7 the number 
of such children1 broken down by country
 of origin1 age1 and gender2  7,d7 the  
number of such children who have a      
criminal record2  7,e7 the number of    
such children who have been involved    
with a criminal gang1 broken down by the
 name of the gang2  7,f7 the number of  
such children who were released to a    
parent or legal guardian2  7,g7 the     
number of such children who were        
released to another immediate adult     
relative1 broken down by the adult      
relative's relationship to the child2   
7,h7 the number of such children who    
were released to a distant relative or  
an unrelated adult2  7,i7 the number of 
children described in subparagraph 7,f71

 7,g71 or 7,h71 broken down by ,state of
 current residence2  7,j7 the number of 
home studies conducted2 and  7,k7 the   
number of such children who were        
separated from their parents and        
subsequently reunited with at least #a  
parent2  7#d7 with respect to drug      
seizures by ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border 
,protection1 the amount 7in pounds7 of  
cocaine1 heroin1 marijuana1             
methamphetamine1 and fentanyl seized1   
broken down by--  7,a7 the number of    
seizures2  7,b7 the method by which the 
drugs were transported2 and  7,c7 the   
location of the seizures2 and  7#e7 with
 respect to other enforcement actions by
 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border            
,protection--  7,a7 the number of       
criminal aliens who were arrested2 and  
7,b7 the number of criminal aliens with 
outstanding warrants4  7c7 ,annual      
reports ,the ,under ,secretary of       
,homeland ,security for ,management1 in 
coordination with the ,secretary of     
,homeland ,security and the heads of    

other ,federal ,government agencies1    
shall submit an annual report to the    
appropriate congressional committees    
that identifies1 for the report year--  
7#a7 the number of visas granted to     
married aliens1 provided that such alien
 or his or her spouse was younger than  
#ah years of age at the time of the     
marriage1 broken down by--  7,a7 the    
country of origin of each spouse2  7,b7 
the age of each spouse2 and  7,c7 the   
visa categories involving marriage in   
which a minor is the beneficiary2 and   
7#b7 the percent of individuals who were
 apprehended by ,u4,s4 ,customs and     
,border ,protection multiple times      
during the report year4  #ajd4 ,maritime
 border security review  7a7 ,short     
title ,this section may be cited as the 
,maritime ,border ,security ,review     
,act4  7b7 ,maritime border threat      
analysis  7#a7 ,in general ,not later   
than #ahj days after the date of        
enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary  
shall submit a maritime border threat   

analysis to the appropriate             
congressional committees1 the ,committee
 on ,commerce1 ,science1 and            
,transportation of the ,senate1 and the 
,committee on ,transportation and       
,infrastructure of the ,house of        
,representatives4  7#b7 ,contents ,the  
analysis under paragraph 7#a7 shall     
include an identification and           
description of-- 7,a7 current and       
potential terrorism and criminal threats
 posed by individuals and groups seeking
 to--  7i7 enter the ,united ,states    
through the maritime border2 or  7ii7   
exploit border vulnerabilities on the   
maritime border2  7,b7 improvements     
needed at ,united ,states sea ports--   
7i7 to prevent terrorists and           
instruments of terror from entering the 
,united ,states2 and  7ii7 to reduce    
criminal activity1 as measured by the   
total flow of illegal goods and illicit 
drugs1 related to the maritime border2  
7,c7 improvements needed with respect to
 the maritime border-- 7i7 to prevent   

terrorists and instruments of terror    
from entering the ,united ,states2 and  
7ii7 to reduce criminal activity related
 to the maritime border2  7,d7          
vulnerabilities in law1 policy1         
cooperation between ,state1 territorial1
 and local law enforcement1 or          
international agreements that hinder    
effective and efficient border security1
 counterterrorism1 anti-human           
trafficking efforts1 and the flow of    
legitimate trade with respect to the    
maritime border2 and  7,e7 metrics and  
performance parameters used by the      
,department of ,homeland ,security to   
evaluate maritime security              
effectiveness1 as appropriate4  7#c7    
,analysis requirements ,in preparing the
 analysis under paragraph 7#a71 the     
,secretary shall consider and examine-- 
7,a7 technology needs and challenges2   
7,b7 personnel needs and challenges2    
7,c7 the role of ,state1 territorial1   
and local law enforcement in general    
border security activities2  7,d7 the   

need for cooperation among ,federal1    
,state1 territorial1 local1 and         
appropriate international law           
enforcement entities relating to border 
security2  7,e7 the geographic          
challenges of the maritime border2 and  
7,f7 the impact and consequences of     
,hurricanes ,harvey1 ,irma1 ,maria1 and 
,nate on general border security        
activities with respect to the maritime 
border4  7#d7 ,classified threat        
analysis ,to the extent possible1 the   
,secretary shall submit the analysis    
required under this subsection in       
unclassified form4 ,the ,secretary may  
submit a portion of the analysis in     
classified form if the ,secretary       
determines that such form is appropriate
 for such portion4  ,,ii ,border        
,security ,technology ,accountability   
#bja4 ,short title ,this title may be   
cited as the ,border ,security          
,technology ,accountability ,act of     
#bjah4  #bjb4 ,border security          
technology accountability  7a7 ,in      

general ,subtitle ,c of title ,,iv of   
the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb   
7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bca et seq47 is amended  
by adding at the end the following3     
#dcd4 ,border security technology       
program management  7a7 ,planning       
documentation ,for each border security 
technology acquisition program of the   
,department that is determined to be a  
major acquisition program1 the          
,secretary shall--  7#a7 ensure that    
each such program has a written         
acquisition program baseline approved by
 the relevant acquisition decision      
authority2  7#b7 document that each such
 program is meeting cost1 schedule1 and 
performance thresholds as specified in  
such baseline1 in compliance with       
relevant departmental acquisition       
policies and the ,federal ,acquisition  
,regulation2 and  7#c7 have a plan for  
meeting program implementation          
objectives by managing contractor       
performance4  7b7 ,adherence to         
standards ,the ,secretary1 acting       

through the ,under ,secretary for       
,management and the ,commissioner of    
,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection1
 shall ensure that border security      
technology acquisition program managers 
who are responsible for carrying out    
this section adhere to relevant internal
 control standards identified by the    
,comptroller ,general of the ,united    
,states4 ,the ,commissioner shall       
provide information1 as needed1 to      
assist the ,under ,secretary in         
monitoring proper program management of 
border security technology acquisition  
programs under this section4  7c7 ,plan 
,the ,secretary1 acting through the     
,under ,secretary for ,management1 and  
in coordination with the ,under         
,secretary for ,science and ,technology 
and the ,commissioner of ,u4,s4 ,customs
 and ,border ,protection1 shall submit a
 plan to the appropriate congressional  
committees for testing and evaluation1  
and the use of independent verification 
and validation resources1 for border    

security technology so that new border  
security technologies are evaluated     
through a series of assessments1        
processes1 and audits to ensure--  7#a7 
compliance with relevant departmental   
acquisition policies and the ,federal   
,acquisition ,regulation2 and  7#b7 the 
effectiveness of taxpayer dollars4  7d7 
,major acquisition program defined ,in  
this section1 the term major acquisition
 program means a ,department acquisition
 program that is estimated by the       
,secretary to require an eventual total 
expenditure of at least #cjj1jjj1jjj    
7based on fiscal year #bjag constant    
dollars7 over its life cycle cost4  4   
7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of   
contents of the ,homeland ,security ,act
 of #bjjb is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section #dcc the   
following3  ,sec4 #dcd4 ,border security
 technology program management4  4      
#bjc4 ,prohibition on additional        
authorization of appropriations ,no     
additional funds are authorized to be   

appropriated to carry out this title or 
the amendments made by this title4 ,this
 title and such amendments shall be     
carried out using amounts otherwise     
available for such purposes4  ,,iii     
,secure ,mail ,initiative  #cja4 ,short 
title ,this title may be cited as the   
,strengthening the ,department of       
,homeland ,security ,secure ,mail       
,initiative ,act4  #cjb4 ,definitions   
,in this title3  7#a7 ,hold for pickup  
service2 signature confirmation service 
,the terms ,hold for ,pickup service and
 ,signature ,confirmation service refer 
to the services described in sections   
#ejg4c4j and #ejc4h4a4a4;a1             
respectively1 of the ,domestic ,mail    
,manual 7or any successor services74    
7#b7 ,immigration examinations fee      
account ,the term ,immigration          
,examinations ,fee ,account means the   
account established under section       
#bhf7m7 of the ,immigration and         
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#acef7m774  7#c7 ,postal service ,the   

term ,postal ,service means the ,united 
,states ,postal ,service4  7#d7         
,secretary ,the term ,secretary means   
the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security4  
#cjc4 ,offering ,hold for ,pickup and   
,signature ,confirmation services under 
the ,secure ,mail ,initiative  7a7 ,in  
general ,beginning not later than #a    
year after the date of the enactment of 
this ,act1 the ,secretary shall provide 
for an option under the ,secure ,mail   
,initiative 7or any successor program7  
under which a person to whom a document 
is sent under that initiative may elect1
 except as provided in subsection 7e71  
to have the ,postal ,service use the    
,hold for ,pickup service or the        
,signature ,confirmation service in     
delivering the document4  7b7 ,fee  7#a7
 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in        
accordance with section #bhf7m7 of the  
,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h  
,u4,s4,c4 #acef7m771 shall require the  
payment of a fee from a person electing 
a service under subsection 7a71 which   

shall be set at a level that ensures    
recovery of--  7,a7 the full costs of   
providing all such services2 and  7,b7  
any additional costs associated with the
 administration of the fees collected4  
7#b7 ,allocation of funds ,of the fees  
collected under paragraph 7#a71 the     
,secretary shall--  7,a7 deposit as     
offsetting receipts into the            
,immigration ,examinations ,fee ,account
 the portion representing--  7i7 the    
cost to the ,secretary of providing the 
services under subsection 7a72 and  7ii7
 any additional costs associated with   
the administration of the fees          
collected2 and  7,b7 transfer to the    
,postal ,service the portion            
representing the cost to the ,postal    
,service of providing the services under
 subsection 7a74  7c7 ,rulemaking ,the  
,postal ,service may promulgate         
regulations that-- 7#a7 subject to      
paragraph 7#b71 minimize the cost of    
providing the services under subsection 
7a72 and  7#b7 do not require the       

,postal ,service to incur additional    
expenses that are not recoverable under 
subsection 7b74  7d7 ,notice of changes 
,the ,postal ,service shall notify the  
,secretary of any changes to the ,hold  
for ,pickup service or the ,signature   
,confirmation service4  7e7 ,use of     
private carrier  7#a7 ,in general ,if   
the ,secretary determines that a private
 carrier that offers substantially      
similar services to the ,hold for       
,pickup and ,signature ,confirmation    
services would provide better service   
and value than the ,postal ,service     
provides under subsection 7a71 the      
,secretary may1 in accordance with      
paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection--     
7,a7 discontinue use of the services of 
the ,postal ,service under subsection   
7a72 and  7,b7 enter into a contract    
with the private carrier under which a  
person to whom a document is sent under 
the ,secure ,mail ,initiative 7or any   
successor program7 may elect to have the
 private carrier use one of the         

substantially similar services in       
delivering the document4  7#b7          
,requirements ,the ,secretary may not   
exercise the authority under paragraph  
7#a7 unless the ,secretary-- 7,a7       
determines1 and notifies the ,postal    
,service1 that the private carrier      
offers services that are substantially  
similar to the ,hold for ,pickup and    
,signature ,confirmation services2  7,b7
 provides for an option under the       
,secure ,mail ,initiative 7or any       
successor program7 under which a person 
to whom a document is sent under that   
initiative may elect a service under    
paragraph 7#a77;,b72  7,c7 requires the 
payment of a fee from a person electing 
a service under paragraph 7#a77;,b71    
which shall be set at a level that      
ensures recovery of--  7i7 the full cost
 of contracting with the private carrier
 to provide all such services2 and  7ii7
 any additional costs associated with   
the administration of the fees          
collected2 and  7,d7 deposits the fees  

collected under subparagraph 7,c7 as    
offsetting receipts into the            
,immigration ,examinations ,fees        
,account4  #cjd4 ,report ,not later than
 #b years after the date of enactment of
 this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit 
a report to ,congress that describes--  
7#a7 the implementation of the          
requirements under section #cjc2  7#b7  
the fee imposed under subsection 7b7 or 
7e77#b77;,c71 as applicable1 of section 
#cjc2 and  7#c7 the number of times     
during the previous year that a person  
used a service under subsection 7a7 or  
7e77#a77;,b7 of section #cjc4  ,,iv     
,hiring and ,retention  #dja4 ,short    
titles ,this title may be cited as the  
,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection 
,hiring and ,retention ,act of #bjah or 
the ,,cbp ,hi,re ,act4  #djb4           
,flexibility in employment authorities  
7a7 ,in general ,chapter #ig of title   
#e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by
 adding at the end the following3       
#igjb4 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border      

,protection employment authorities  7a7 
,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the
 term ,,cbp employee means an employee  
of ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border          
,protection2  7#b7 the term             
,commissioner means the ,commissioner of
 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border            
,protection2  7#c7 the term ,director   
means the ,director of the ,office of   
,personnel ,management2  7#d7 the term  
rural or remote area means an area      
within the ,united ,states that is not  
within an area defined and designated as
 an urbanized area by the ,bureau of the
 ,census in the most recently completed 
decennial census2 and  7#e7 the term    
,secretary means the ,secretary of      
,homeland ,security4  7b7 ,demonstration
 of recruitment and retention           
difficulties in rural or remote areas   
7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of       
subsections 7c7 and 7d71 the ,secretary 
shall determine1 for a rural or remote  
area1 whether there is--  7,a7 a        
critical hiring need in the area2 and   

7,b7 a direct relationship between--    
7i7 the rural or remote nature of the   
area2 and  7ii7 difficulty in the       
recruitment and retention of ,,cbp      
employees in the area4  7#b7 ,factors   
,to inform the determination of a direct
 relationship under paragraph 7#a77;,b71
 the ,secretary may consider evidence-- 
7,a7 that the ,secretary-- 7i7 is unable
 to efficiently and effectively recruit 
individuals for positions as ,,cbp      
employees1 which may be demonstrated    
with various types of evidence1         
including--  7,i7 evidence that multiple
 positions have been continuously vacant
 for significantly longer than the      
national average period for which       
similar positions in ,u4,s4 ,customs and
 ,border ,protection are vacant2 and    
7,,ii7 recruitment studies that         
demonstrate the inability of the        
,secretary to efficiently and           
effectively recruit ,,cbp employees for 
positions in the area2 or  7ii7         
experiences a consistent inability to   

retain ,,cbp employees that negatively  
impacts agency operations at a local or 
regional level2 or  7,b7 of any other   
inability1 directly related to          
recruitment or retention difficulties1  
that the ,secretary determines          
sufficient4  7c7 ,direct hire authority2
 recruitment and relocation bonuses2    
retention bonuses  7#a7 ,direct hire    
authority  7,a7 ,in general ,the        
,secretary may appoint1 without regard  
to any provision of sections #ccji      
through #ccai1 candidates to positions  
in the competitive service as ,,cbp     
employees1 in a rural or remote area1 if
 the ,secretary--  7i7 determines that--
 7,i7 there is a critical hiring need2  
and  7,,ii7 there exists a severe       
shortage of qualified candidates because
 of the direct relationship identified  
by the ,secretary under subsection      
7b77#a77;,b7 of this section between--  
7aa7 the rural or remote nature of the  
area2 and  7bb7 difficulty in the       
recruitment and retention of ,,cbp      

employees in the area2 and  7ii7 has    
given public notice for the positions4  
7,b7 ,prioritization of hiring veterans 
,if the ,secretary uses the direct      
hiring authority under subparagraph     
7,a71 the ,secretary shall apply the    
principles of preference for the hiring 
of veterans established under subchapter
 ,i of chapter #cc4  7#b7 ,recruitment  
and relocation bonuses ,the ,secretary  
may pay a bonus to an individual 7other 
than an individual described in         
subsection 7a77#b7 of section #egec7    
if--  7,a7 the ,secretary determines    
that-- 7i7 conditions consistent with   
the conditions described in paragraphs  
7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7b7 of such 
section #egec are satisfied with respect
 to the individual 7without regard to   
any other provision of that section72   
and  7ii7 the position to which the     
individual is appointed or to which the 
individual moves or must relocate--     
7,i7 is a position as a ,,cbp employee2 
and  7,,ii7 is in a rural or remote area

 for which the ,secretary has identified
 a direct relationship under subsection 
7b77#a77;,b7 of this section between--  
7aa7 the rural or remote nature of the  
area2 and  7bb7 difficulty in the       
recruitment and retention of ,,cbp      
employees in the area2 and  7,b7 the    
individual enters into a written service
 agreement with the ,secretary-- 7i7    
under which the individual is required  
to complete a period of employment as a 
,,cbp employee of not less than #b      
years2 and  7ii7 that includes-- 7,i7   
the commencement and termination dates  
of the required service period 7or      
provisions for the determination        
thereof72  7,,ii7 the amount of the     
bonus2 and  7,,iii7 other terms and     
conditions under which the bonus is     
payable1 subject to the requirements of 
this subsection1 including--  7aa7 the  
conditions under which the agreement may
 be terminated before the agreed-upon   
service period has been completed2 and  
7bb7 the effect of a termination        

described in item 7aa74  7#c7 ,retention
 bonuses ,the ,secretary may pay a      
retention bonus to a ,,cbp employee     
7other than an individual described in  
subsection 7a77#b7 of section #eged7    
if--  7,a7 the ,secretary determines    
that--  7i7 a condition consistent with 
the condition described in subsection   
7b77#a7 of such section #eged is        
satisfied with respect to the ,,cbp     
employee 7without regard to any other   
provision of that section72  7ii7 the   
,,cbp employee is employed in a rural or
 remote area for which the ,secretary   
has identified a direct relationship    
under subsection 7b77#a77;,b7 of this   
section between--  7,i7 the rural or    
remote nature of the area2 and  7,,ii7  
difficulty in the recruitment and       
retention of ,,cbp employees in the     
area2 and  7iii7 in the absence of a    
retention bonus1 the ,,cbp employee     
would be likely to leave--  7,i7 the    
,federal service2 or  7,,ii7 for a      
different position in the ,federal      

service1 including a position in another
 agency or component of the ,department 
of ,homeland ,security2 and  7,b7 the   
individual enters into a written service
 agreement with the ,secretary-- 7i7    
under which the individual is required  
to complete a period of employment as a 
,,cbp employee of not less than #b      
years2 and  7ii7 that includes-- 7,i7   
the commencement and termination dates  
of the required service period 7or      
provisions for the determination        
thereof72  7,,ii7 the amount of the     
bonus2 and  7,,iii7 other terms and     
conditions under which the bonus is     
payable1 subject to the requirements of 
this subsection1 including--  7aa7 the  
conditions under which the agreement may
 be terminated before the agreed-upon   
service period has been completed2 and  
7bb7 the effect of a termination        
described in item 7aa74  7#d7 ,rules for
 bonuses  7,a7 ,maximum bonus ,a bonus  
paid to an employee under--  7i7        
paragraph 7#b7 may not exceed #ajj      

percent of the annual rate of basic pay 
of the employee as of the commencement  
date of the applicable service period2  
and  7ii7 paragraph 7#c7 may not exceed 
#ej percent of the annual rate of basic 
pay of the employee as of the           
commencement date of the applicable     
service period4  7,b7 ,relation to basic
 pay ,a bonus paid to an employee under 
paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 shall not be     
considered part of the basic pay of the 
employee for any purpose4  7#e7 ,,opm   
oversight ,the ,director shall1 to the  
extent practicable-- 7,a7 set aside a   
determination of the ,secretary under   
this subsection if the ,director finds  
substantial evidence that the ,secretary
 abused the discretion of the ,secretary
 in making the determination2 and  7,b7 
oversee the compliance of the ,secretary
 with this subsection4  7d7 ,special pay
 authority ,in addition to the          
circumstances described in subsection   
7b7 of section #ecje1 the ,director may 
establish special rates of pay in       

accordance with that section if the     
,director finds that the recruitment or 
retention efforts of the ,secretary with
 respect to positions for ,,cbp         
employees in an area or location are1 or
 are likely to become1 significantly    
handicapped because the positions are   
located in a rural or remote area for   
which the ,secretary has identified a   
direct relationship under subsection    
7b77#a77;,b7 of this section between--  
7#a7 the rural or remote nature of the  
area2 and  7#b7 difficulty in the       
recruitment and retention of ,,cbp      
employees in the area4  7e7 ,regular    
,,cbp review  7#a7 ,ensuring            
flexibilities meet ,,cbp needs ,each    
year1 the ,secretary shall review the   
use of hiring flexibilities under       
subsections 7c7 and 7d7 to fill         
positions at a location in a rural or   
remote area to determine--  7,a7 the    
impact of the use of those flexibilities
 on solving hiring and retention        
challenges at the location2  7,b7       

whether hiring and retention challenges 
still exist at the location2 and  7,c7  
whether the ,secretary needs to continue
 to use those flexibilities at the      
location4  7#b7 ,consideration ,in      
conducting the review under paragraph   
7#a71 the ,secretary shall consider--   
7,a7 whether any ,,cbp employee accepted
 an employment incentive under          
subsection 7c7 or 7d7 and then          
transferred to a new location or left   
,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection2
 and  7,b7 the length of time that each 
employee identified under subparagraph  
7,a7 stayed at the original location    
before transferring to a new location or
 leaving ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border    
,protection4  7#c7 ,distribution ,the   
,secretary shall submit to ,congress a  
report on each review required under    
paragraph 7#a74  7f7 ,improving ,,cbp   
hiring and retention  7#a7 ,education of
 ,,cbp hiring officials ,not later than 
#ahj days after the date of the         
enactment of the ,,cbp ,hi,re ,act1 and 

in conjunction with the ,chief ,human   
,capital ,officer of the ,department of 
,homeland ,security1 the ,secretary     
shall develop and implement a strategy  
to improve education regarding hiring   
and human resources flexibilities       
7including hiring and human resources   
flexibilities for locations in rural or 
remote areas7 for all employees1 serving
 in agency headquarters or field        
offices1 who are involved in the        
recruitment1 hiring1 assessment1 or     
selection of candidates for locations in
 a rural or remote area1 as well as the 
retention of current employees4  7#b7   
,elements ,elements of the strategy     
under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the  
following3 7,a7 ,developing or updating 
training and educational materials on   
hiring and human resources flexibilities
 for employees who are involved in the  
recruitment1 hiring1 assessment1 or     
selection of candidates1 as well as the 
retention of current employees4  7,b7   
,regular training sessions for personnel

 who are critical to filling open       
positions in rural or remote areas4     
7,c7 ,the development of pilot programs 
or other programs1 as appropriate1 to   
address identified hiring challenges in 
rural or remote areas4  7,d7 ,developing
 and enhancing strategic recruiting     
efforts through relationships with      
institutions of higher education1 as    
defined in section #ajb of the ,higher  
,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#ajjb71 veterans transition and         
employment centers1 and job placement   
program in regions that could assist in 
filling positions in rural or remote    
areas4  7,e7 ,examination of existing   
agency programs on how to most          
effectively aid spouses and families of 
individuals who are candidates or new   
hires in a rural or remote area4  7,f7  
,feedback from individuals who are      
candidates or new hires at locations in 
a rural or remote area1 including       
feedback on the quality of life in rural
 or remote areas for new hires and their

 families4  7,g7 ,feedback from ,,cbp   
employees1 other than new hires1 who are
 stationed at locations in a rural or   
remote area1 including feedback on the  
quality of life in rural or remote areas
 for those ,,cbp employees and their    
families4  7,h7 ,evaluation of          
,department of ,homeland ,security      
internship programs and the usefulness  
of those programs in improving hiring by
 the ,secretary in rural or remote      
areas4  7#c7 ,evaluation  7,a7 ,in      
general ,each year1 the ,secretary shall
 -- 7i7 evaluate the extent to which the
 strategy developed and implemented     
under paragraph 7#a7 has improved the   
hiring and retention ability of the     
,secretary2 and  7ii7 make any          
appropriate updates to the strategy     
under paragraph 7#a74  7,b7 ,information
 ,the evaluation conducted under        
subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7   
any reduction in the time taken by the  
,secretary to fill mission-critical     
positions in rural or remote areas2     

7ii7 a general assessment of the impact 
of the strategy developed and           
implemented under paragraph 7#a7 on     
hiring challenges in rural or remote    
areas2 and  7iii7 other information the 
,secretary determines relevant4  7g7    
,inspector ,general review ,not later   
than #b years after the date of the     
enactment of the ,,cbp ,hi,re ,act1 the 
,inspector ,general of the ,department  
of ,homeland ,security shall review the 
use of hiring flexibilities by the      
,secretary under subsections 7c7 and 7d7
 to determine whether the use of those  
flexibilities is helping the ,secretary 
meet hiring and retention needs in rural
 and remote areas4  7h7 ,report on      
polygraph requests ,the ,secretary shall
 report to ,congress on the number of   
requests the ,secretary receives from   
any other ,federal agency for the file  
of an applicant for a position in ,u4,s4
 ,customs and ,border ,protection that  
includes the results of a polygraph     
examination4  7i7 ,exercise of authority

  7#a7 ,sole discretion ,the exercise of
 authority under subsection 7c7 shall be
 subject to the sole and exclusive      
discretion of the ,secretary 7or the    
,commissioner1 as applicable under      
paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection71     
notwithstanding chapter #ga4  7#b7      
,delegation  7,a7 ,in general ,subject  
to subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary may
 delegate any authority under this      
section to the ,commissioner4  7,b7     
,oversight ,the ,commissioner may not   
make a determination under subsection   
7b77#a7 unless the ,secretary approves  
the determination4  7j7 ,rule of        
construction ,nothing in this section   
shall be construed to exempt the        
,secretary or the ,director from the    
applicability of the merit system       
principles under section #bcja4  7k7    
,sunset ,the authorities under          
subsections 7c7 and 7d7 shall terminate 
on the date that is #e years after the  
date of the enactment of the ,,cbp      
,hi,re ,act4  4  7b7 ,technical and     

conforming amendment ,the table of      
sections for chapter #ig of title #e1   
,united ,states ,code1 is amended by    
adding at the end the following3  #igjb4
 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection
 employment authorities4  4  ,v         
,anti-,border ,corruption  #eja4 ,short 
title ,this title may be cited as the   
,anti-,border ,corruption               
,reauthorization ,act of #bjah4  #ejb4  
,hiring flexibility ,section #c of the  
,anti-,border ,corruption ,act of #bjaj 
7,public ,law #aaa-cgf2 #f ,u4,s4,c4    
#bba7 is amended by striking subsection 
7b7 and inserting the following3  7b7   
,waiver authority ,the ,commissioner of 
,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection 
may waive the application of subsection 
7a77#a7 under the following             
circumstances3  7#a7 ,in the case of a  
current1 full-time law enforcement      
officer employed by a ,state or local   
law enforcement agency1 if such         
officer--  7,a7 has served as a law     
enforcement officer for not fewer than  

three years with no break in service2   
7,b7 is authorized by law to engage in  
or supervise the prevention1 detection1 
investigation1 or prosecution of1 or the
 incarceration of any person for1 any   
violation of law1 and has statutory     
powers for arrest or apprehension2  7,c7
 is not currently under investigation1  
has not been found to have engaged in   
criminal activity or serious misconduct1
 has not resigned from a law enforcement
 officer position under investigation or
 in lieu of termination1 and has not    
been dismissed from a law enforcement   
officer position2 and  7,d7 has1 within 
the past ten years1 successfully        
completed a polygraph examination as a  
condition of employment with such       
officer's current law enforcement       
agency4  7#b7 ,in the case of a current1
 full-time ,federal law enforcement     
officer1 if such officer-- 7,a7 has     
served as a law enforcement officer for 
not fewer than three years with no break
 in service2  7,b7 has authority to make

 arrests1 conduct investigations1       
conduct searches1 make seizures1 carry  
firearms1 and serve orders1 warrants1   
and other processes2  7,c7 is not       
currently under investigation1 has not  
been found to have engaged in criminal  
activity or serious misconduct1 has not 
resigned from a law enforcement officer 
position under investigation or in lieu 
of termination1 and has not been        
dismissed from a law enforcement officer
 position2 and  7,d7 holds a current    
,tier #d background investigation or    
current ,tier #e background             
investigation4  7#c7 ,in the case of an 
individual who is a member of the ,armed
 ,forces 7or a reserve component        
thereof7 or a veteran1 if such          
individual--  7,a7 has served in the    
,armed ,forces for not fewer than three 
years2  7,b7 holds1 or has held within  
the past five years1 a ,secret1 ,top    
,secret1 or ,top ,secret_/,sensitive    
,compartmented ,information clearance2  
7,c7 holds1 or has undergone within the 

past five years1 a current ,tier #d     
background investigation or current     
,tier #e background investigation2  7,d7
 received1 or is eligible to receive1 an
 honorable discharge from service in the
 ,armed ,forces and has not engaged in  
criminal activity or committed a serious
 military or civil offense under the    
,uniform ,code of ,military ,justice2   
and  7,e7 was not granted any waivers to
 obtain the clearance referred to in    
subparagraph 7,b74  7c7 ,termination of 
waiver authority ,the authority to issue
 a waiver under subsection 7b7 shall    
terminate on the date that is #d years  
after the date of the enactment of the  
,anti-,border ,corruption               
,reauthorization ,act of #bjah4  4      
#ejc4 ,supplemental ,commissioner       
authority and definitions  7a7          
,supplemental ,commissioner authority   
,section #d of the ,anti-,border        
,corruption ,act of #bjaj 7,public ,law 
#aaa-cgf7 is amended to read as follows3
  #d4 ,supplemental ,commissioner       

authority  7a7 ,nonexemption ,an        
individual who receives a waiver under  
section #c7;b7 is not exempt from other 
hiring requirements relating to         
suitability for employment and          
eligibility to hold a national security 
designated position1 as determined by   
the ,commissioner of ,u4,s4 ,customs and
 ,border ,protection4  7b7 ,background  
investigations ,any individual who      
receives a waiver under section #c7;b7  
who holds a current ,tier #d background 
investigation shall be subject to a     
,tier #e background investigation4  7c7 
,administration of polygraph examination
 ,the ,commissioner of ,u4,s4 ,customs  
and ,border ,protection is authorized to
 administer a polygraph examination to  
an applicant or employee who is eligible
 for or receives a waiver under section 
#c7;b7 if information is discovered     
before the completion of a background   
investigation that results in a         
determination that a polygraph          
examination is necessary to make a final

 determination regarding suitability for
 employment or continued employment1 as 
the case may be4  4  7b7 ,report ,the   
,anti-,border ,corruption ,act of #bjaj 
7,public ,law #aaa-cgf7 is amended by   
adding at the end the following3  #e4   
,reporting requirements  7a7 ,annual    
report ,not later than #a year after the
 date of the enactment of the           
,anti-,border ,corruption               
,reauthorization ,act of #bjah1 and     
annually thereafter while the waiver    
authority under section #c7;b7 is in    
effect1 the ,commissioner of ,u4,s4     
,customs and ,border ,protection shall  
submit a report to ,congress that       
includes1 with respect to the reporting 
period--  7#a7 the number of waivers    
requested1 granted1 and denied under    
section #c7;b72  7#b7 the reasons for   
any denials of such waiver2  7#c7 the   
percentage of applicants who were hired 
after receiving a waiver2  7#d7 the     
number of instances that a polygraph was
 administered to an applicant who       

initially received a waiver and the     
results of such polygraph2  7#e7 an     
assessment of the current impact of the 
polygraph waiver program on filling law 
enforcement positions at ,u4,s4 ,customs
 and ,border ,protection2 and  7#f7     
additional authorities needed by ,u4,s4 
,customs and ,border ,protection to     
better utilize the polygraph waiver     
program for its intended goals4  7b7    
,additional information ,the first      
report submitted under subsection 7a7   
shall include-- 7#a7 an analysis of     
other methods of employment suitability 
tests that detect deception and could be
 used in conjunction with traditional   
background investigations to evaluate   
potential employees for suitability2 and
  7#b7 a recommendation regarding       
whether a test referred to in paragraph 
7#a7 should be adopted by ,u4,s4        
,customs and ,border ,protection when   
the polygraph examination requirement is
 waived pursuant to section #c7;b74  4  
7c7 ,definitions ,the ,anti-,border     

,corruption ,act of #bjaj1 as amended by
 this title1 is further amended by      
adding at the end the following3  #f4   
,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7        
,federal law enforcement officer ,the   
term ,federal law enforcement officer   
has the meaning given the term law      
enforcement officer under section       
#hcca7bj7 or #hdja7ag7 of title #e1     
,united ,states ,code4  7#b7 ,serious   
military or civil offense ,the term     
serious military or civil offense means 
an offense for which-- 7,a7 a member of 
the ,armed ,forces may be discharged or 
separated from service in the ,armed    
,forces2 and  7,b7 a punitive discharge 
is1 or would be1 authorized for the same
 or a closely related offense under the 
,manual for ,courts-,martial1 pursuant  
to ,army ,regulation #fce-bjj chapter   
#ad-ab4  7#c7 ,tier #d2 ,tier #e ,the   
terms ,tier #d and ,tier #e1 with       
respect to background investigations1   
have the meanings given such terms under
 the #bjab ,federal ,investigative      

,standards4  7#d7 ,veteran ,the term    
veteran has the meaning given such term 
in section #aja7b7 of title #ch1 ,united
 ,states ,code4  4  ,,vi ,keeping       
,families ,together ,while ,enforcing   
the ,law  #fja4 ,short title ,this title
 may be cited as the ,keep ,families    
,together and ,enforce the ,law ,act4   
#fjb4 ,family unification  7a7 ,in      
general ,section #bce of the            
,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h  
,u4,s4,c4 #abbe7 is amended by adding at
 the end the following3  7e7 ,protective
 custody of arriving alien children     
accompanied by parents  7#a7 ,in general
 ,notwithstanding any other provision of
 law1 including section #cadb of title  
#ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 any judicial
 determination 7including any judicial  
determination made in ,flores v4        
,sessions et4 al41 7#ith ,cir4 ,july #e1
 #bjag2 ,c4,d4 ,,ca4 ,july #bd1 #bjae771
 consent decree1 or settlement agreement
 issued before the date of enactment of 
the ,keep ,families ,together and       

,enforce the ,law ,act1 and section     
#bcf4c of title #h1 ,code of ,federal   
,regulations 7or a successor            
regulation71 the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security shall not use any            
appropriated funds or be required to    
implement the terms of the stipulated   
settlement agreement filed on ,january  
#ag1 #aiig1 in the ,united ,states      
,district ,court for the ,central       
,district of ,california in ,flores v4  
,reno1 ,,cv #he-dedd-,,rjk1 7commonly   
known as the 8,flores settlement        
agreement07 in the case of an alien     
child under the age of #ah years who    
is--  7,a7 accompanied by a parent2 and 
7,b7 7i7 apprehended at or near the     
international border of the ,united     
,states2 or  7ii7 seeking admission to  
the ,united ,states at a port of entry4 
7#b7 ,family unit residential centers   
7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in 
subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary of    
,homeland ,security shall temporarily   
house an alien child under the age of   

#ah years described in paragraph 7#a7   
together with the parent of the child in
 a family residential center maintained 
by the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security
 during the pendency of civil or        
criminal proceedings4  7,b7 ,exception  
,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security  
shall not temporarily house an alien    
child described in subparagraph 7,a7 in 
the manner described in that            
subparagraph if the ,secretary of       
,homeland ,security--  7i7 is unable to 
verify that an individual accompanying  
the alien child is the parent of the    
alien child2  7ii7 determines that the  
accompanying parent of the alien child--
 7,i7 has a violent criminal history2 or
  7,,ii7 has committed or been convicted
 of-- 7aa7 an aggravated felony under   
section #aja7;a77#dc72  7bb7 a crime    
involving the attempted use of physical 
force or threatened use of a deadly     
weapon2  7cc7 an assault resulting in   
bodily injury 7as defined in section    
#bbff of title #ah1 ,united ,states     

,code72 or  7dd7 an offense described in
 section #bab7;a77#b7 or #bcg7;a77#b72  
7iii7 determines that the alien child is
 or has been a victim of domestic abuse 
or sexual abuse2 or  7iv7 the alien     
child is-- 7,i7 a victim of trafficking2
  7,,ii7 at risk of becoming a victim of
 trafficking2  7,,iii7 in danger of     
abuse or neglect at the hands of the    
accompanying parent of the alien child2 
or  7,,iv7 a danger to himself or       
herself or to others4  7,c7 ,conditions 
for custody ,the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security shall ensure that each--  7i7
 family residential facility is secure  
and safe2 and  7ii7 alien child and     
accompanying parent at a family         
residential facility has--  7,i7        
suitable living accommodations2  7,,ii7 
access to drinking water and food2      
7,,iii7 medical assistance in case of   
emergencies2 and  7,,iv7 any other      
service necessary for the adequate care 
of a minor child4  7#c7 ,protective     
custody of accompanied alien children   

ineligible for housing in a family      
residential center ,if an alien child   
described in paragraph 7#a7 may not be  
housed with the accompanying parent of  
the alien child in a family residential 
center under paragraph 7#b77;,a71 the   
alien child shall be treated as an      
unaccompanied alien child under the     
,william ,wilberforce ,trafficking      
,victims ,protection ,reauthorization   
,act of #bjjh 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abcb et    
seq474  7#d7 ,prioritization of         
accompanied minor and family unit       
proceedings ,to the maximum extent      
practicable1 the ,secretary of ,homeland
 ,security and the ,attorney ,general   
shall prioritize civil and criminal     
proceedings and decisions on requests   
for relief from removal of accompanied  
alien children and families who are in  
custody under this subsection4  4  7b7  
,family residential facilities ,the     
,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall 
enter into one or more interagency      
agreements with the ,attorney ,general  

to secure additional family residential 
centers to house accompanied alien      
children and parents of such children   
under section #bce7;e7 of the           
,immigration and ,nationality ,act      
during the pendency of civil or criminal
 proceedings4  7c7 ,applicability ,the  
amendments made by this ,act shall apply
 regardless of the date on which an     
action giving rise to the admissibility 
or custody of the accompanied child or  
parent occurs4  #fjc4 ,additional family
 residential center capacity  7a7       
,detention space ,the ,secretary of     
,homeland ,security shall acquire or    
construct sufficient detention space to 
accommodate the number of families      
detained in accordance with section     
#bce7;e77#b7 of the ,immigration and    
,nationality ,act1 as amended by section
 #fjb7;a74  7b7 ,family residential beds
 ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security 
shall increase the number of available  
family residential beds by not less than
 #a1jjj1 compared to the number of such 

beds available on the date of the       
enactment of this ,act4  #fjd4          
,emergency immigration judge resources  
,the ,attorney ,general shall increase  
the number of immigration judge teams by
 not less than #bbe1 as compared to the 
number of immigration judge teams on the
 date of enactment of this ,act1        
including for the purpose of conducting 
prioritized proceedings for accompanied 
alien children and families--  7#a7     
apprehended at or near the southwest    
border of the ,united ,states2 or  7#b7 
who are seeking admission to the ,united
 ,states at a port of entry4