[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 21 (Thursday, January 29, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 4269. Mr. BENNET submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 7148, making further consolidated appropriations 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 1176, after line 17, add the following:
       Sec. 239. (a)(1) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     enhance the performance, professionalism, and integrity of 
     immigration enforcement officers and agents by establishing 
     strengthened hiring and screening standards for all newly 
     hired officers and agents.
       (2) The standards required under paragraph (1) shall, at a 
     minimum, require that each applicant--
       (A) be at least 20 years of age at the time of application 
     and at least 21 years of age at the start of the next 
     scheduled basic training academy;
       (B) possess a high school diploma or equivalent credential 
     at the time of application;
       (C) possess authorization to live and work in the United 
     States, as demonstrated by documentation sufficient to 
     satisfy employment eligibility verification requirements 
     under Federal law;
       (D) possess not fewer than 5 years of prior law enforcement 
     experience with a Federal, State, local, Tribal, or 
     territorial law enforcement agency;
       (E) hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution 
     of higher education; and
       (F) undergo comprehensive background investigations that 
     include--
       (i) criminal history checks;
       (ii) reviews of prior law enforcement or military service, 
     including disciplinary records and sustained complaints;
       (iii) screening for any history of domestic violence, 
     sexual assault, or other violent conduct;
       (iv) drug use screening consistent with Federal law;
       (v) reviews for affiliations with terrorist organizations, 
     violent extremist groups, or hate-based organizations;
       (vi) reviews of publicly available social media and online 
     activity for evidence of bias, extremism, discriminatory 
     conduct, or advocacy of violence; and
       (vii) psychological suitability assessments to ensure 
     fitness for duty, sound judgment, and the ability to safely 
     interact with the public.
       (b)(1) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish 
     and enforce appearance standards applicable to immigration 
     enforcement officers and agents.
       (2) The standards required under paragraph (1) shall 
     prohibit--
       (A) any body markings that are vulgar, obscene, sexually 
     explicit, gang-related, prejudicial, or otherwise reasonably 
     likely to bring discredit upon the Department of Homeland 
     Security or the law enforcement profession;
       (B) body markings located on or above the collarbone; and
       (C) body markings located on or below the wrist bone, 
     except that an officer or agent may display one band-style 
     marking on one finger, not exceeding 8 millimeters in width.
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