Short title

This Act may be cited as the

United States Customs and Border Protection Authorization Act

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, criminals, and other persons who may undermine the security of 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)), 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 the 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. (7)

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.

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.

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.; (2)in title IV— (A)by striking the title heading and inserting

Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security

; and (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 amending the item relating to section 402 to read as follows:

Sec. 402. Border, maritime, and transportation responsibilities.

;

(5)by striking the item relating to subtitle B of title IV and inserting the following:

Subtitle B—United States Customs and Border Protection

;

(6)by striking the item relating to section 441 and inserting the following:

Sec. 441. Transfer of functions.

; and

(7)by striking the item relating to section 442 and inserting the following:

Sec. 442. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.