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H.R. 2203: Homeland Security Improvement Act

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H.R. 2203: Homeland Security Improvement Act

116th Congress · introduced 2019-04-10 · Immigration · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-04-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 545 (2019): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR2203 (2019-09-25), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Homeland Security Improvement Act

Plain summary

This bill establishes the position of Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The ombudsman shall establish an independent, neutral, and standardized process to assist individuals in resolving complaints related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and related entities; make recommendations to DHS to address chronic issues identified in the complaints process; establish a Border Oversight Panel, which shall make recommendations related to border enforcement policies and strategies; review ICE and CBP compliance with departmental policies and standards of care for detained aliens; establish a Border Community Liaison in each Border Patrol sector on the northern and southern borders, which shall consult with and receive feedback from border communities on ICE and CBP policies and activities; conduct yearly evaluations of training for ICE and CBP agents and officers, including whether such training adequately addresses the use of force and civil rights issues; develop recommendations for establishing an electronic number system for tracking a child that has been separated from a parent, legal guardian, or relative; and report to Congress a plan to require the use of body-worn cameras by Border Patrol agents and ICE officers.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Homeland Security Improvement Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · 28 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2203, the Homeland Security Improvement Act of 2019 (2019-09-24)

Cosponsors on this site

Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), James A. Himes (D-CT), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Mike Levin (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] reported raising $1.1 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr2203 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116