“To establish certain limitations on Federal immigration enforcement personnel.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section sets forth nine congressional findings concerning the responsible use of force by federal immigration enforcement personnel, including requirements to identify themselves and state the reason for arrest, First Amendment protections for lawfully acting journalists, protesters, and bystanders, a responsibility to refuse blatantly illegal orders or those risking public safety, promotion of minimal community disruption, and condemnation of violence against law enforcement.
This section establishes use-of-force standards, equipment restrictions, and identification requirements for federal immigration enforcement personnel (i.e., primarily DHS agents such as those in ICE and CBP). It requires such personnel to use non-deadly force only when no reasonable alternative exists, proportional to resistance and accounting for subject vulnerabilities; to de-escalate tensions and minimize third-party injury risk; to intervene against and report excessive force by peers; and to render medical aid as needed. It limits masks to cases of national security threats, health hazards, or approved covert operations and requires clear agency identification (not using "police") unless approved for safety or security reasons. The section prohibits noise flash diversionary devices (flash bangs), rubber bullets, pepper balls, and tear gas except for operations involving illegal U.S. entries or public safety/national security threats, requiring supervisory-approved tactical plans and personnel training/certification. It authorizes trained backup teams with such equipment for non-exception operations where primary personnel or others are at risk (excluding risks from lawful First Amendment activities). (Thus, these limits aim to reduce excessive force in routine interior enforcement while allowing flexibility for high-threat scenarios.)
This section provides a rule of construction stating that nothing in this Act or its amendments (1) provides federal immigration enforcement personnel additional authority to exercise deadly force, (2) prevents such personnel from taking action necessary to ensure the safety of themselves, other personnel, or bystanders, or (3) requires state and local law enforcement to assist or be involved in federal immigration enforcement activities.