United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 2203 (116th)
Homeland Security Improvement Act
Introduced
10 April 2019
Last action
26 September 2019 · Introduced
Status
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sponsors
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
Subjects
Immigration, Education
Source updated
7 April 2025
Summary
Homeland Security Improvement Act This bill establishes various bodies and policies related to border security operations. It also limits when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may separate a child from a parent or legal guardian. The bill establishes the independent DHS Border Oversight Commission. The commission's duties shall include recommending policies to protect civil rights and improve the safety of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns. The office shall independently receive and resolve complaints and requests for assistance regarding border security and immigration activities. The office shall have the power to provide redress, including immigration relief and monetary damages. The office's other responsibilities include monitoring local offices and recommending disciplinary actions against contractors that have violated policies. The bill establishes the Border Community Liaison Office. The office's duties include consulting with communities in sectors on the northern and southern borders when developing policies and programs. DHS shall ensure CBP officers receive continual education and training each year on topics including interaction with vulnerable populations and professional conduct standards. The bill imposes data collection requirements on law enforcement officials conducting border and immigration-related stops and searches. A child may not be removed from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles of the border except in certain instances, such as when a court determines that removal of the child is in the child's best interests. The bill requires various reports, including a Government Accountability Office report on the use of force by CBP and ICE.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
10 April 2019
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Source: IntroReferral
10 April 2019
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
10 April 2019
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
23 April 2019
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
Source: Committee
15 May 2019
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Source: Committee
17 July 2019
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.
Source: Committee
17 July 2019
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
17 July 2019
Committee
Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Discharged.
Source: Committee
19 July 2019
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 122.
Source: Calendars
19 July 2019
Discharge
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Source: Discharge
19 July 2019
Committee
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Source: Committee
19 July 2019
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-163, Part I.
Source: Committee
19 July 2019
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-163, Part I.
Source: Committee
24 September 2019
Reported
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 577 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Vote
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 194 (Roll no. 546). (text: CR H7928-7929)
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 194 (Roll no. 546).(text: CR H7928-7929)
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Vote
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 207 - 216 (Roll no. 545).
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Floor
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525 and H. Res. 576. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, H.R. 3525, and H.Res. 576 under closed rules. Rule also provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 26, 2019, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules; and provides for proceedings during the period from September 30, 2019, through October 14, 2019
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Floor
Mr. Green (TN) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Homeland Security. (text: CR H7974)
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 577. (consideration: CR H7928-7934)
Source: Floor
25 September 2019
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
26 September 2019
Introduced
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
25 September 2019 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source
Yes 230 · No 194 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 9
- Rep. Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [R-GA-3]Nay
- Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]Not Voting
- Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]Yea
- Rep. Finkenauer, Abby [D-IA-1]Yea
Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.
25 September 2019 · failed · On Motion to Recommit with Instructions · Failed · Official source
Yes 207 · No 216 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 10
- Rep. Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [R-GA-3]Aye
- Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]Not Voting
- Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]No
- Rep. Finkenauer, Abby [D-IA-1]Aye
Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.
Versions
- Referred in Senate · 26 September 2019 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 25 September 2019 · Download file
- Reported in House · 19 July 2019 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 10 April 2019 · Download file
Documents
11 official files
Referred in Senate (text)
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Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 26 September 2019
Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 26 September 2019
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Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 25 September 2019
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Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 25 September 2019
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Passed House
summary · EN · 25 September 2019
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Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 19 July 2019
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Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 19 July 2019
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Reported to House, Part I
summary · EN · 19 July 2019
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 10 April 2019
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 10 April 2019
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 10 April 2019
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Sponsors
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6] · D · Cosponsor
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] · D · Cosponsor
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] · D · Cosponsor
- · ssga00 · Standing
- · hswm00 · Standing
- · hsju00 · Standing
- · hshm00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → Homeland Security Improvement Act
- related to ← National Commission To Investigate the Treatment of Migrant Families and Children Act of 2019.
- related to ← Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2203) to increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement within the Department of Homeland Security, provide independent oversight of border security activities, improve training for agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3525) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish uniform processes for medical screening of individuals interdicted between ports of entry, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 576) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; and for other purposes.
- related to ← A bill to establish the position of Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Enforcement Related Concerns in the Department of Homeland Security.
- amends ← Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 577, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 116-27, modified by the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report is considered adopted.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2203
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/116/hr/2203
- us · 116-hr-2203 · source updated 7 April 2025