Sponsors (22)
The bill strengthens DHS civil-rights enforcement, transparency, and access for limited-English communities, but it may slow some investigations, risk privacy in public summaries, and raise administrative costs.
Immigrants, racial-ethnic minorities, and other complainants will see stronger DHS civil-rights enforcement because the bill reestablishes an empowered Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (OCRCL) with investigatory authorities (oaths, access) and an explicit duty to review abuses and profiling.
Complainants (including immigrants and people with disabilities) will have clearer, faster complaint procedures because complainants must receive notice within 30 days and be informed of the Office's determination.
Communities with limited English proficiency—especially immigrant and racial-ethnic minority communities—will get improved access to DHS services and remedies because the Officer is required to lead DHS language access efforts and community engagement.
Complainants (especially immigrants) may face slower relief because the bill mandates referrals to the Inspector General and gives the IG seven days to decide, which could delay OCRCL investigations and remedies.
Complainants and people with disabilities risk exposure of sensitive personal information if publicly posted investigation summaries are not adequately redacted.
Taxpayers and federal budgets could face higher administrative and staffing costs because components must consult and provide resources to implement the Office's expanded duties.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands and restructures DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties with stronger investigatory powers, timelines, reporting, community engagement, and GAO review.
Official title: To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make certain improvements in the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 2, 2026 by Al Green · Last progress July 2, 2026
Rewrites and expands the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (OCRCL), defining new duties, authorities, procedures, transparency rules, and reporting requirements for the Office and component civil rights officers. It strengthens investigatory powers, complaint handling timelines, coordination with Inspectors General, public posting and community engagement duties, and requires a Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) review of community engagement implementation within two years. The bill requires component heads to provide information, staffing, and access to the Officer; sets timelines for responses and appeals; expands annual reporting content to Congress and the public; and amends an intelligence-era reporting provision to add the House Homeland Security Committee as a recipient of certain reports. It mainly changes oversight, accountability, and public transparency procedures rather than creating new benefit programs or appropriations.