Bill Summary
The proposed legislation aims to create a systematic framework for tracking, recording, and reporting instances where United States citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) are detained or removed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes.
Key components of the bill include:
1. **System Establishment**: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to establish a standardized system within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This system will monitor and report all cases of detention or removal of U.S. citizens and LPRs, including those who have recently lost their LPR status.
2. **Data Collection**: The system must document instances where individuals are apprehended by any law enforcement agency and subsequently transferred to DHS custody for a minimum of 24 hours. It specifically emphasizes cases involving minors who are removed alongside parents or guardians lacking lawful status.
3. **Proof of Citizenship Process**: Additionally, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, must develop a process for individuals detained or removed under these circumstances to prove their citizenship or lawful permanent residency.
4. **Reporting**: The DHS will be required to report these instances to specific congressional committees at least quarterly.
By establishing this system, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement practices concerning U.S. citizens and LPRs, and to ensure that individuals' rights are protected during immigration proceedings.
Possible Impacts
The proposed legislation to establish a system for tracking and reporting instances of detention or removal of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could affect people in several significant ways:
1. **Increased Transparency and Accountability**: The establishment of a standardized system to track detentions and removals would provide greater transparency regarding immigration enforcement practices. This could empower citizens and advocacy groups to hold DHS accountable for its actions, potentially leading to reforms in how immigration laws are enforced. Individuals may feel more secure knowing there is a mechanism in place to monitor and report on cases that involve U.S. citizens or LPRs.
2. **Protection for Vulnerable Populations**: By specifically including provisions for minors who are removed alongside individuals without lawful status, the legislation could help protect children from being unjustly affected by immigration enforcement actions. This could reduce the potential for family separation and ensure that the rights of U.S. citizen children are recognized and upheld, leading to a more humane approach in cases involving families.
3. **Impact on Legal Processes**: The requirement for individuals detained or removed to submit proof of their citizenship or legal status could streamline legal proceedings, reducing the time and resources spent on wrongful detentions. However, it may also create barriers for some individuals who may not readily have access to documentation or who may face challenges in proving their status, potentially leading to fear or reluctance to engage with law enforcement or immigration authorities.
Overall, while the legislation aims to improve oversight and accountability within immigration enforcement, it may also introduce complexities that affect how individuals interact with the justice system and law enforcement.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4703 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4703
To establish a system to track, record, and report all instances in
which a United States citizen or individual lawfully admitted for
permanent resident was, for the purpose of immigration enforcement,
detained or removed by the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2025
Ms. McClellan (for herself, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Norton, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Fields, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Lee of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Salinas, and Mr.
Jackson of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a system to track, record, and report all instances in
which a United States citizen or individual lawfully admitted for
permanent resident was, for the purpose of immigration enforcement,
detained or removed by the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF SYSTEM TO TRACK, RECORD, AND REPORT ALL
INSTANCES IN WHICH A UNITED STATES CITIZEN OR INDIVIDUAL
LAWFULLY ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT WAS, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, DETAINED OR REMOVED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
(a) System.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall establish a standardized system to track, record, and
report to the appropriate committees of Congress not less
frequently than quarterly all instances in which a United
States citizen, individual lawfully admitted for permanent
resident (LPR), or individual whose status as an individual
lawfully admitted for permanent residence has been revoked for
not more than 30 days was, for the purpose of immigration
enforcement, detained in the custody of the Department of
Homeland Security for not less than 24 hours or removed by the
Department.
(2) Requirements.--The system established pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall include, to the greatest extent
practicable, all instances in which a citizen or other
individual described in such paragraph was, for the purpose of
immigration enforcement, apprehended and detained by another
Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency and transferred
to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for
detention of not less than 24 hours or removal, as the case may
be. Such system shall, in particular, include information with
respect to such instances regarding such a citizen or other
individual who on the date of such removal was less than 18
years of age and was so removed alongside an individual who on
such date was without lawful status under the immigration laws
and was a parent or guardian of such citizen or other
individual, as the case may be.
(b) Process for Proof of Citizenship.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, shall establish
by rule a process for each United States citizen, or other individual,
detained, removed, or apprehended as described in subsection (a) to
submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security any information that
indicates such individual is a United States citizen or lawfully
admitted for permanent resident, as the case may be.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the following:
(A) In the House of Representatives, the following:
(i) The Committee on Homeland Security.
(ii) The Committee on Judiciary.
(iii) The Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
(B) In the Senate, the following:
(i) The Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
(ii) The Committee on Judiciary.
(2) Immigration laws.--The term ``immigration laws'' has
the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)).
(3) Removed.--The term ``removed'' means repatriated or
otherwise transported from the United States to another
country.
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