Sponsor
Emilia Strong Sykes
Representative · D-OH
Representative · D-OH
The bill raises training standards and longer pre-duty instruction to improve safety, preparedness, and community trust in immigration enforcement, but does so as an unfunded, potentially inconsistent mandate that may expand enforcement reach, create short-term staffing gaps, and leave accountability gaps without stronger oversight and guidance.
Immigrants and communities where immigration officers operate will likely see fewer violent encounters because officers receive standardized, scenario-based de-escalation and crisis-intervention training.
ICE officers and federal employees will be more prepared for enforcement duties because new hires receive at least 67 days of pre-duty training, improving operational readiness.
Immigrants and law enforcement may face fewer procedural errors and related lawsuits because longer, more comprehensive pre-duty training improves officers' knowledge of law and rights protections.
Federal, state, and local agencies and taxpayers will face new administrative and training costs, and the lack of provided funding creates budget uncertainty and potential strain.
Immigrant communities may experience increased enforcement interactions because the law expands the statutory definition of 'immigration officer' to include more state and local personnel.
New hires cannot perform enforcement duties until completing the 67-day training, causing short-term staffing shortages and operational delays for enforcement agencies.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Mandates DHS/FLETC scenario-based curriculum and requires at least 67 days of training before performing immigration-enforcement duties.
Official title: To develop a scenario-based training curriculum for immigration officers, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2026 by Emilia Strong Sykes · Last progress April 30, 2026
Requires the Department of Homeland Security, working with FLETC, to create and annually certify a scenario-based training curriculum for immigration officers and to report to Congress on implementation. It also adds a new requirement that any person performing immigration-enforcement duties must complete at least 67 days of training before carrying out those duties. The curriculum must cover community-police relations, officer safety and resilience, situational awareness, stress responses, critical decision-making, de-escalation, use-of-force (including deadly force), and crisis intervention; consult with law enforcement associations, community groups, and defense/national security agencies; offer technical assistance to DHS components; and establish certification procedures. A congressional report on benefits, barriers, and recommendations is required within 180 days of enactment.