Statement on Homeland Security Improvement Act
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives today introduced the Homeland Security Improvement Act, which seeks to improve oversight and accountability of immigration enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The following is a statement from Shaw Drake, staff attorney and policy counsel for the ACLU of Texas:
“For decades, ICE and CBP have engaged in relentless and repeated civil rights violations of immigrant communities, while openly defying attempts at reform. While much more must be done to rein in these notoriously abusive immigration agencies, the Homeland Security Improvement Act represents a step forward in the ongoing fight to hold them accountable. Specifically, the bill includes provisions to increase border community engagement, require the collection of data on agency actions, strengthen congressional oversight, and establish an ombudsman office — all of which are welcome and long overdue moves to help hold these rogue agencies accountable for the harm and trauma they inflict. We look forward to working with Rep. Veronica Escobar and other congressional leaders to strengthen the bill as it moves towards passage, including by enhancing safeguards against abuse and measures to hold officers accountable for misconduct.”
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