Bill · S. 3997· Senate(119-S-3997)
Homeland Security Improvement Act
- Introduced
- 3/4/2026
- Last activity
- 3/4/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Homeland Security Improvement Act aims to increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement within the Department of Homeland Security. It establishes an independent Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission to evaluate and recommend improvements for border enforcement and safety. The bill creates an Office of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration-Related Concerns to provide a process for receiving and investigating complaints. It also mandates new training and continuing education requirements for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers. Additionally, the act requires assessments of port of entry management and mandates data collection regarding law enforcement stops. Finally, it prohibits the separation of families for the purpose of deterrence or compliance, with specific exceptions for child safety.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill prohibits family separation and mandates protection for vulnerable children.
Would immigrants be better off under this?+7
The act creates significant legal avenues for redress and prevents arbitrary family separations.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill establishes an oversight commission and an ombudsman to increase transparency in DHS operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Oversight of Border Activities: The creation of the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission provides independent oversight of policies and programs (Section 2(a)(4)).
-
Protection of Civil and Human Rights: The Commission is tasked with evaluating policies to protect the civil and human rights of border residents and visitors (Section 2(a)(4)(B)(i)).
-
Redress for Grievances: The Office of the Ombudsman establishes a process to receive, investigate, and provide redress—including immigration relief or monetary damages—for complaints from individuals, associations, and employers (Section 3(a)(d)(1)).
-
Improved Safety for Migrants: The Commission is required to evaluate policies intended to reduce the number of migrant deaths (Section 2(a)(4)(B)(ii)).
-
Enhanced Training and Professionalism: The bill mandates specific training for agents and officers regarding community relations, use of force, and handling vulnerable populations (Section 4(b)).
-
Protection Against Retaliation: The Ombudsman's office includes provisions to protect complainants and individuals identified in complaints from retaliatory action by law enforcement (Section s 3(a)(f)(2)).
-
Prevention of Unjust Family Separations: The act prohibits removing children from parents solely for the purpose of deterring migration or promoting compliance with immigration laws (Section 8(b)).
-
Access to Information for Families: If a child is removed due to safety concerns, the Secretary must provide documentation explaining why the removal occurred (Section 8(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Agent Authority: The bill limits the ability of agents to remove children from parents for specific policy goals like deterrence or compliance (Section 8(b)).
-
Mandatory Data Collection Burden: Law enforcement officials are required to record specific details during patrol stops, such as race, gender, and ethnicity (Section 6(b)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Immigrants+7Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Native Americans+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Improves Due Process+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5Improves Border Security+3
- 3/4/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.