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the Privacy Officer of such efforts; and (6) alerting Member Agencies and, in coordination with (and where possible through) Member Agencies, public health agencies of State, local, and tribal governments regarding any incident that could develop into a biological event of national concern. (d) Responsibilities of the Directing Officer of the NBIC.— (1) In general.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall— (A) on an ongoing basis, monitor the availability and appropriateness of surveillance systems used by the NBIC and those systems that could enhance biological situational awareness or the overall performance of the NBIC; (B) on an ongoing basis, review and seek to improve the statistical and other analytical methods used by the NBIC; (C) receive and consider other relevant homeland security information, as appropriate; and (D) provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to all Federal, regional, State, local, and tribal government entities and private sector entities that contribute data relevant to the operation of the NBIC. (2) Assessments.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall— (A) on an ongoing basis, evaluate available data for evidence of a biological event of national concern; and (B) integrate homeland security information with NBIC data to provide overall situational awareness and determine whether a biological event of national concern has occurred. (3) Information sharing.— (A) In general.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall— (i) establish a method of real-time communication with the National Operations Center; (ii) in the event that a biological event of national concern is detected, notify the Secretary and disseminate results of NBIC assessments relating to that biological event of national concern to appropriate Federal response entities and, in coordination with relevant Member Agencies, regional, State, local, and tribal governmental response entities in a timely manner; (iii) provide any report on NBIC assessments to Member Agencies and, in coordination with relevant Member Agencies, any affected regional, State, local, or tribal government, and any private sector entity considered appropriate that may enhance the mission of such Member Agencies, governments, or entities or the ability of the Nation to respond to biological events of national concern; and (iv) share NBIC incident or situational awareness reports, and other relevant information, consistent with the information sharing environment established under section 1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485) and any policies, guidelines, procedures, instructions, or standards established under that section. (B) Consultation.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall implement the activities described in subparagraph (A) consistent with the policies, guidelines, procedures, instructions, or standards established under section 1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485) and in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, and other offices or agencies of the Federal Government, as appropriate. (e) Responsibilities of the NBIC Member Agencies.— (1) In general.—Each Member Agency shall— (A) use its best efforts to integrate biosurveillance information into the NBIC, with the goal of promoting information sharing between Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to detect biological events of national concern; (B) provide timely information to assist the NBIC in maintaining biological situational awareness for accurate detection and response purposes; (C) enable the NBIC to receive and use biosurveillance information from member agencies to carry out its requirements under subsection (c); (D) connect the biosurveillance data systems of that Member Agency to the NBIC data system under mutually agreed protocols that are consistent with subsection (c)(5); (E) participate in the formation of strategy and policy for the operation of the NBIC and its information sharing; (F) provide personnel to the NBIC under an interagency personnel agreement and consider the qualifications of such personnel necessary to provide human, animal, and environmental data analysis and interpretation support to the NBIC; and (G) retain responsibility for the surveillance and intelligence systems of that department or agency, if applicable. (f) Administrative Authorities.— (1) Hiring of experts.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall hire individuals with the necessary expertise to develop and operate the NBIC. (2) Detail of personnel.—Upon the request of the Directing Officer of the NBIC, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Department to assist the NBIC in carrying out this section. (g) NBIC Interagency Working Group.—The Directing Officer of the NBIC shall— (1) establish an interagency working group to facilitate interagency cooperation and to advise the Directing Officer of the NBIC regarding recommendations to enhance the biosurveillance capabilities of the Department; and (2) invite Member Agencies to serve on that working group. (h) Relationship to Other Departments and Agencies.—The authority of the Directing Officer of the NBIC under this section shall not affect any authority or responsibility of any other department or agency of the Federal Government with respect to biosurveillance activities under any program administered by that department or agency. (i) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. (j) Definitions.—In this section: (1) The terms "biological agent'' and "toxin'' have the meanings given those terms in section 178 of title 18, United States Code. (2) The term "biological event of national concern'' means— (A) an act of terrorism involving a biological agent or toxin; or (B) a naturally occurring outbreak of an infectious disease that may result in a national epidemic. (3) The term "homeland security information'' has the meaning given that term in section 892. (4) The term "Member Agency'' means any Federal department or agency that, at the discretion of the head of that department or agency, has entered a memorandum of understanding regarding participation in the NBIC. (5) The term "Privacy Officer'' means the Privacy Officer appointed under section 222.
SEC. 317. [6 U.S.C. 195C] PROMOTING ANTITERRORISM THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.—In this section: (1) Director.—The term "Director'' means the Director selected under subsection (b)(2). (2) International cooperative activity.—The term "international cooperative activity'' includes— (A) coordinated research projects, joint research projects, or joint ventures; (B) joint studies or technical demonstrations; (C) coordinated field exercises, scientific seminars, conferences, symposia, and workshops; (D) training of scientists and engineers; (E) visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers, or other appropriate personnel; (F) exchanges or sharing of scientific and technological information; and (G) joint use of laboratory facilities and equipment. (b) Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office.— (1) Establishment.—The Under Secretary shall establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office. (2) Director.—The Office shall be headed by a Director, who— (A) shall be selected, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, by and shall report to the Under Secretary; and (B) may be an officer of the Department serving in another position. (3) Responsibilities.— (A) Development of mechanisms.—The Director shall be responsible for developing, in coordination with the Department of State and, as appropriate, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and other Federal agencies, understandings and agreements to allow and to support international cooperative activity in support of homeland security. (B) Priorities.—The Director shall be responsible for developing, in coordination with the Office of International Affairs and other Federal agencies, strategic priorities for international cooperative activity for the Department in support of homeland security. (C) Activities.—The Director shall facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of international cooperative activity to address the strategic priorities developed under subparagraph (B) through mechanisms the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to or with foreign public or private entities, governmental organizations, businesses (including small businesses and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses (as those terms are defined in sections 3 and 8 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632 and 637), respectively)), federally funded research and development centers, and universities. (D) Identification of partners.—The Director shall facilitate the matching of United States entities engaged in homeland security research with non-United States entities engaged in homeland security research so that they may partner in homeland security research activities. (4) Coordination.—The Director shall ensure that the activities under this subsection are coordinated with the Office of International Affairs and the Department of State and, as appropriate, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and other relevant Federal agencies or interagency bodies. The Director may enter into joint activities with other Federal agencies. (c) Matching Funding.— (1) In general.— (A) Equitability.—The Director shall ensure that funding and resources expended in international cooperative activity will be equitably matched by the foreign partner government or other entity through direct funding, funding of complementary activities, or the provision of staff, facilities, material, or equipment. (B) Grant matching and repayment.— (i) In general.—The Secretary may require a recipient of a grant under this section— (I) to make a matching contribution of not more than 50 percent of the total cost of the proposed project for which the grant is awarded; and (II) to repay to the Secretary the amount of the grant (or a portion thereof), interest on such amount at an appropriate rate, and such charges for administration of the grant as the Secretary determines appropriate. (ii) Maximum amount.—The Secretary may not require that repayment under clause (i)(II) be more than 150 percent of the amount of the grant, adjusted for inflation on the basis of the Consumer Price Index. (2) Foreign partners.—Partners may include Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other allies in the global war on terrorism as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State. (3) Loans of equipment.—The Director may make or accept loans of equipment for research and development and comparative testing purposes. (d) Foreign Reimbursements.—If the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office participates in an international cooperative activity with a foreign partner on a cost-sharing basis, any reimbursements or contributions received from that foreign partner to meet its share of the project may be credited to appropriate current appropriations accounts of the Directorate of Science and Technology. (e) Report to Congress on International Cooperative Activities.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting through the Director, shall submit to Congress a report containing— (1) a brief description of each grant, cooperative agreement, or contract made or entered into under subsection (b)(3)(C), including the participants, goals, and amount and sources of funding; and (2) a list of international cooperative activities underway, including the participants, goals, expected duration, and amount and sources of funding, including resources provided to support the activities in lieu of direct funding. (f) Animal and Zoonotic Diseases.—As part of the international cooperative activities authorized in this section, the Under Secretary, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer, the Department of State, and appropriate officials of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services, may enter into cooperative activities with foreign countries, including African nations, to strengthen American preparedness against foreign animal and zoonotic diseases overseas that could harm the Nation's agricultural and public health sectors if they were to reach the United States. (g) Construction; Authorities of the Secretary of State.— Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or affect the following provisions of law: (1) Title V of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1979 (22 U.S.C. 2656a et seq.). (2) Section 112b(c) of title 1, United States Code. (3) Section 1(e)(2) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(e)(2)). (4) Sections 2 and 27 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2752 and 22 U.S.C. 2767). (5) Section 622(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2382(c)). (h) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary.
TITLE IV—DIRECTORATE OF BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
Subtitle A—Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security
SEC. 401. [6 U.S.C. 201] UNDER SECRETARY FOR BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY.
There shall be in the Department a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security headed by an Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security.
SEC. 402. [6 U.S.C. 202] RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, shall be responsible for the following: (1) Preventing the entry of terrorists and the instruments of terrorism into the United States. (2) Securing the borders, territorial waters, ports, terminals, waterways, and air, land, and sea transportation systems of the United States, including managing and coordinating those functions transferred to the Department at ports of entry. (3) Carrying out the immigration enforcement functions vested by statute in, or performed by, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization (or any officer, employee, or component of the Immigration and Naturalization Service) immediately before the date on which the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect. (4) Establishing and administering rules, in accordance with section 428, governing the granting of visas or other forms of permission, including parole, to enter the United States to individuals who are not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. (5) Establishing national immigration enforcement policies and priorities. (6) Except as provided in subtitle C, administering the customs laws of the United States. (7) Conducting the inspection and related administrative functions of the Department of Agriculture transferred to the Secretary of Homeland Security under section 421. (8) In carrying out the foregoing responsibilities, ensuring the speedy, orderly, and efficient flow of lawful traffic and commerce.
SEC. 403. [6 U.S.C. 203] FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED.
In accordance with title XV (relating to transition provisions), there shall be transferred to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of— (1) the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto; (2) the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Transportation, including the functions of the Secretary of Transportation, and of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, relating thereto; (3) the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration, including the functions of the Administrator of General Services relating thereto; (4) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of the Department of the Treasury; and (5) the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Office of Justice Programs, including the functions of the Attorney General relating thereto.
Subtitle B—United States Customs Service
SEC. 411. [6 U.S.C. 211] ESTABLISHMENT; COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS.
(a) Establishment.—There is established in the Department the United States Customs Service, under the authority of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, which shall be vested with those functions including, but not limited to those set forth in section 415(7), and the personnel, assets, and liabilities attributable to those functions. (b) Commissioner of Customs.— (1) In general.—There shall be at the head of the Customs Service a Commissioner of Customs, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
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(3) Continuation in office.—The individual serving as the Commissioner of Customs on the day before the effective date of this Act may serve as the Commissioner of Customs on and after such effective date until a Commissioner of Customs is appointed under paragraph (1).
SEC. 412. [6 U.S.C. 212] RETENTION OF CUSTOMS REVENUE FUNCTIONS BY SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
(a) Retention of Customs Revenue Functions by Secretary of the Treasury.— (1) Retention of authority.—Notwithstanding section 403(a)(1), authority related to Customs revenue functions that was vested in the Secretary of the Treasury by law before the effective date of this Act under those provisions of law set forth in paragraph (2) shall not be transferred to the Secretary by reason of this Act, and on and after the effective date of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury may delegate any such authority to the Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with the Secretary regarding the exercise of any such authority not delegated to the Secretary. (2) Statutes.—The provisions of law referred to in paragraph (1) are the following: the Tariff Act of 1930; section 249 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (19 U.S.C. 3); section 2 of the Act of March 4, 1923 (19 U.S.C. 6); section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c); section 251 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (19 U.S.C. 66); section 1 of the Act of June 26, 1930 (19 U.S.C. 68); the Foreign Trade Zones Act (19 U.S.C. 81a et seq.); section 1 of the Act of March 2, 1911 (19 U.S.C. 198); the Trade Act of 1974; the Trade Agreements Act of 1979; the North American Free Trade Area Implementation Act; the Uruguay Round Agreements Act; the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; the Andean Trade Preference Act; the African Growth and Opportunity Act; and any other provision of law vesting customs revenue functions in the Secretary of the Treasury. (b) Maintenance of Customs Revenue Functions.— (1) Maintenance of functions.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not consolidate, discontinue, or diminish those functions described in paragraph (2) performed by the United States Customs Service (as established under section 411) on or after the effective date of this Act, reduce the staffing level, or reduce the resources attributable to such functions, and the Secretary shall ensure that an appropriate management structure is implemented to carry out such functions. (2) Functions.—The functions referred to in paragraph (1) are those functions performed by the following personnel, and associated support staff, of the United States Customs Service on the day before the effective date of this Act: Import Specialists, Entry Specialists, Drawback Specialists, National Import Specialist, Fines and Penalties Specialists, attorneys of the Office of Regulations and Rulings, Customs Auditors, International Trade Specialists, Financial Systems Specialists. (c) New Personnel.—The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to appoint up to 20 new personnel to work with personnel of the Department in performing customs revenue functions.
SEC. 413. [6 U.S.C. 213] PRESERVATION OF CUSTOMS FUNDS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no funds available to the United States Customs Service or collected under paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 13031(a) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 may be transferred for use by any other agency or office in the Department.
SEC. 414. [6 U.S.C. 214] SEPARATE BUDGET REQUEST FOR CUSTOMS.
The President shall include in each budget transmitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a separate budget request for the United States Customs Service.
SEC. 415. [6 U.S.C. 215] DEFINITION.
In this subtitle, the term "customs revenue function'' means the following: (1) Assessing and collecting customs duties (including antidumping and countervailing duties and duties imposed under safeguard provisions), excise taxes, fees, and penalties due on imported merchandise, including classifying and valuing merchandise for purposes of such assessment. (2) Processing and denial of entry of persons, baggage, cargo, and mail, with respect to the assessment and collection of import duties. (3) Detecting and apprehending persons engaged in fraudulent practices designed to circumvent the customs laws of the United States. (4) Enforcing section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and provisions relating to import quotas and the marking of imported merchandise, and providing Customs Recordations for copyrights, patents, and trademarks. (5) Collecting accurate import data for compilation of international trade statistics. (6) Enforcing reciprocal trade agreements. (7) Functions performed by the following personnel, and associated support staff, of the United States Customs Service on the day before the effective date of this Act: Import Specialists, Entry Specialists, Drawback Specialists, National Import Specialist, Fines and Penalties Specialists, attorneys of the Office of Regulations and Rulings, Customs Auditors, International Trade Specialists, Financial Systems Specialists. (8) Functions performed by the following offices, with respect to any function described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7), and associated support staff, of the United States Customs Service on the day before the effective date of this Act: the Office of Information and Technology, the Office of Laboratory Services, the Office of the Chief Counsel, the Office of Congressional Affairs, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Training and Development.
SEC. 416. [6 U.S.C. 216] GAO REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 3 months after the effective date of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that sets forth all trade functions performed by the executive branch, specifying each agency that performs each such function.
SEC. 417. [6 U.S.C. 217] ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES BY THE SECRETARY.
(a) In General.—The Secretary shall ensure that adequate staffing is provided to assure that levels of customs revenue services provided on the day before the effective date of this Act shall continue to be provided. (b) Notification of Congress.—The Secretary shall notify the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate at least 90 days prior to taking any action which would— (1) result in any significant reduction in customs revenue services, including hours of operation, provided at any office within the Department or any port of entry; (2) eliminate or relocate any office of the Department which provides customs revenue services; or (3) eliminate any port of entry. (c) Definition.—In this section, the term "customs revenue services'' means those customs revenue functions described in paragraphs (1) through (6) and paragraph (8) of section 415.
SEC. 418. [6 U.S.C. 218] REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Continuing Reports.—The United States Customs Service shall, on and after the effective date of this Act, continue to submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate any report required, on the day before such the effective date of this Act, to be so submitted under any provision of law. (b) Report on Conforming Amendments.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of proposed conforming amendments to the statutes set forth under section 412(a)(2) in order to determine the appropriate allocation of legal authorities described under this subsection. The Secretary of the Treasury shall also identify those authorities vested in the Secretary of the Treasury that are exercised by the Commissioner of Customs on or before the effective date of this section.
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Subtitle C—Miscellaneous Provisions
SEC. 421. [6 U.S.C. 231] TRANSFER OF CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL INSPECTION FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
(a) Transfer of Agricultural Import and Entry Inspection Functions.—There shall be transferred to the Secretary the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to agricultural import and entry inspection activities under the laws specified in subsection (b). (b) Covered Animal and Plant Protection Laws.—The laws referred to in subsection (a) are the following: (1) The Act commonly known as the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (the eighth paragraph under the heading "Bureau of Animal Industry'' in the Act of March 4, 1913; 21 U.S.C. 151 et seq.). (2) Section 1 of the Act of August 31, 1922 (commonly known as the Honeybee Act; 7 U.S.C. 281). (3) Title III of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 1581 et seq.). (4) The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.). (5) The Animal Health Protection Act (subtitle E of title X of Public Law 107-171; 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.). (6) The Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.). (7) Section 11 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1540). (c) Exclusion of Quarantine Activities.—For purposes of this section, the term "functions'' does not include any quarantine activities carried out under the laws specified in subsection (b). (d) Effect of Transfer.— (1) Compliance with department of agriculture regulations.—The authority transferred pursuant to subsection (a) shall be exercised by the Secretary in accordance with the regulations, policies, and procedures issued by the Secretary of Agriculture regarding the administration of the laws specified in subsection (b). (2) Rulemaking coordination.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall coordinate with the Secretary whenever the Secretary of Agriculture prescribes regulations, policies, or procedures for administering the functions transferred under subsection (a) under a law specified in subsection (b). (3) Effective administration.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, may issue such directives and guidelines as are necessary to ensure the effective use of personnel of the Department of Homeland Security to carry out the functions transferred pursuant to subsection (a). (e) Transfer Agreement.— (1) Agreement required; revision.—Before the end of the transition period, as defined in section 1501, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary shall enter into an agreement to effectuate the transfer of functions required by subsection (a). The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary may jointly revise the agreement as necessary thereafter. (2) Required terms.—The agreement required by this subsection shall specifically address the following: (A) The supervision by the Secretary of Agriculture of the training of employees of the Secretary to carry out the functions transferred pursuant to subsection (a). (B) The transfer of funds to the Secretary under subsection (f). (3) Cooperation and reciprocity.—The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary may include as part of the agreement the following: (A) Authority for the Secretary to perform functions delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture regarding the protection of domestic livestock and plants, but not transferred to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a). (B) Authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to use employees of the Department of Homeland Security to carry out authorities delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regarding the protection of domestic livestock and plants. (f) Periodic Transfer of Funds to Department of Homeland Security.— (1) Transfer of funds.—Out of funds collected by fees authorized under sections 2508 and 2509 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (21 U.S.C. 136, 136a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer, from time to time in accordance with the agreement under subsection (e), to the Secretary funds for activities carried out by the Secretary for which such fees were collected. (2) Limitation.—The proportion of fees collected pursuant to such sections that are transferred to the Secretary under this subsection may not exceed the proportion of the costs incurred by the Secretary to all costs incurred to carry out activities funded by such fees. (g) Transfer of Department of Agriculture Employees.—Not later than the completion of the transition period defined under section 1501, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer to the Secretary not more than 3,200 full-time equivalent positions of the Department of Agriculture.
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SEC. 422. [6 U.S.C. 232] FUNCTIONS OF ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES.
(a) Operation, Maintenance, and Protection of Federal Buildings and Grounds.—Nothing in this Act may be construed to affect the functions or authorities of the Administrator of General Services with respect to the operation, maintenance, and protection of buildings and grounds owned or occupied by the Federal Government and under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of the Administrator. Except for the law enforcement and related security functions transferred under section 403(3), the Administrator shall retain all powers, functions, and authorities vested in the Administrator under chapter 10 of title 40, United States Code, and other provisions of law that are necessary for the operation, maintenance, and protection of such buildings and grounds. (b) Collection of Rents and Fees; Federal Buildings Fund.— (1) Statutory construction.—Nothing in this Act may be construed— (A) to direct the transfer of, or affect, the authority of the Administrator of General Services to collect rents and fees, including fees collected for protective services; or (B) to authorize the Secretary or any other official in the Department to obligate amounts in the Federal Buildings Fund established by section 490(f) of title 40, United States Code. (2) Use of transferred amounts.—Any amounts transferred by the Administrator of General Services to the Secretary out of rents and fees collected by the Administrator shall be used by the Secretary solely for the protection of buildings or grounds owned or occupied by the Federal Government.
SEC. 423. [6 U.S.C. 233] FUNCTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Consultation With Federal Aviation Administration.—The Secretary and other officials in the Department shall consult with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration before taking any action that might affect aviation safety, air carrier operations, aircraft airworthiness, or the use of airspace. The Secretary shall establish a liaison office within the Department for the purpose of consulting with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (b) Report to Congress.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit to Congress a report containing a plan for complying with the requirements of section 44901(d) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by section 425 of this Act. (c) Limitations on Statutory Construction.— (1) Grant of authority.—Nothing in this Act may be construed to vest in the Secretary or any other official in the Department any authority over transportation security that is not vested in the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, or in the Secretary of Transportation under chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Obligation of aip funds.—Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the Secretary or any other official in the Department to obligate amounts made available under section 48103 of title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 424. [6 U.S.C. 234] PRESERVATION OF TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AS A DISTINCT ENTITY.
(a) In General.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, and subject to subsection (b), the Transportation Security Administration shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the Department under the Under Secretary for Border Transportation and Security. (b) Sunset.—Subsection (a) shall cease to apply 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
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SEC. 427. [6 U.S.C. 235] COORDINATION OF INFORMATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Definition of Affected Agency.—In this section, the term "affected agency'' means— (1) the Department; (2) the Department of Agriculture; (3) the Department of Health and Human Services; and (4) any other department or agency determined to be appropriate by the Secretary. (b) Coordination.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the head of each other department or agency determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, shall ensure that appropriate information (as determined by the Secretary) concerning inspections of articles that are imported or entered into the United States, and are inspected or regulated by 1 or more affected agencies, is timely and efficiently exchanged between the affected agencies. (c) Report and Plan.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the head of each other department or agency determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, shall submit to Congress— (1) a report on the progress made in implementing this section; and (2) a plan to complete implementation of this section.
SEC. 428. [6 U.S.C. 236] VISA ISSUANCE.
(a) Definition.—In this subsection, the term "consular office'' has the meaning given that term under section 101(a)(9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(9)). (b) In General.—Notwithstanding section 104(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1104(a)) or any other provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary— (1) shall be vested exclusively with all authorities to issue regulations with respect to, administer, and enforce the provisions of such Act, and of all other immigration and nationality laws, relating to the functions of consular officers of the United States in connection with the granting or refusal of visas, and shall have the authority to refuse visas in accordance with law and to develop programs of homeland security training for consular officers (in addition to consular training provided by the Secretary of State), which authorities shall be exercised through the Secretary of State, except that the Secretary shall not have authority to alter or reverse the decision of a consular officer to refuse a visa to an alien; and (2) shall have authority to confer or impose upon any officer or employee of the United States, with the consent of the head of the executive agency under whose jurisdiction such officer or employee is serving, any of the functions specified in paragraph (1). (c) Authority of the Secretary of State.— (1) In general.—Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Secretary of State may direct a consular officer to refuse a visa to an alien if the Secretary of State deems such refusal necessary or advisable in the foreign policy or security interests of the United States. (2) Construction regarding authority.—Nothing in this section, consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security's authority to refuse visas in accordance with law, shall be construed as affecting the authorities of the Secretary of State under the following provisions of law: (A) Section 101(a)(15)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(A)). (B) Section 204(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) (as it will take effect upon the entry into force of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Inter-Country adoption). (C) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)(bb) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(IV)(bb)). (D) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI)). (E) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II)). (F) Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(C)). (G) Section 212(a)(10)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(10)(C)). (H) Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)). (I) Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)). (J) Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4)(C)). (K) Section 401 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6034; Public Law 104-114). (L) Section 613 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105-277) (Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999); 112 Stat. 2681; H.R. 4328 (originally H.R. 4276) as amended by section 617 of Public Law 106-553. (M) Section 103(f) of the Chemical Weapon Convention Implementation Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681-865). (N) Section 801 of H.R. 3427, the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001, as enacted by reference in Public Law 106-113. (O) Section 568 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107-115). (P) Section 51 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2723). (d) Consular Officers and Chiefs of Missions.— (1) In general.—Nothing in this section may be construed to alter or affect— (A) the employment status of consular officers as employees of the Department of State; or (B) the authority of a chief of mission under section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3927). (2) Construction regarding delegation of authority.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any delegation of authority to the Secretary of State by the President pursuant to any proclamation issued under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security's authority to refuse visas in accordance with law. (e) Assignment of Homeland Security Employees to Diplomatic and Consular Posts.— (1) In general.—The Secretary is authorized to assign employees of the Department to each diplomatic and consular post at which visas are issued, unless the Secretary determines that such an assignment at a particular post would not promote homeland security. (2) Functions.—Employees assigned under paragraph (1) shall perform the following functions: (A) Provide expert advice and training to consular officers regarding specific security threats relating to the adjudication of individual visa applications or classes of applications. (B) Review any such applications, either on the initiative of the employee of the Department or upon request by a consular officer or other person charged with adjudicating such applications. (C) Conduct investigations with respect to consular matters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. (3) Evaluation of consular officers.—The Secretary of State shall evaluate, in consultation with the Secretary, as deemed appropriate by the Secretary, the performance of consular officers with respect to the processing and adjudication of applications for visas in accordance with performance standards developed by the Secretary for these procedures. (4) Report.—The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, submit a report to Congress that describes the basis for each determination under paragraph (1) that the assignment of an employee of the Department at a particular diplomatic post would not promote homeland security. (5) Permanent assignment; participation in terrorist lookout committee.—When appropriate, employees of the Department assigned to perform functions described in paragraph (2) may be assigned permanently to overseas diplomatic or consular posts with country-specific or regional responsibility. If the Secretary so directs, any such employee, when present at an overseas post, shall participate in the terrorist lookout committee established under section 304 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1733). (6) Training and hiring.— (A) In general.—The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent possible, that any employees of the Department assigned to perform functions under paragraph (2) and, as appropriate, consular officers, shall be provided the necessary training to enable them to carry out such functions, including training in foreign languages, interview techniques, and fraud detection techniques, in conditions in the particular country where each employee is assigned, and in other appropriate areas of study. (B) Use of center.—The Secretary is authorized to use the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, on a reimbursable basis, to obtain the training described in subparagraph (A). (7) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress— (A) a report on the implementation of this subsection; and (B) any legislative proposals necessary to further the objectives of this subsection. (8) Effective date.—This subsection shall take effect on the earlier of— (A) the date on which the President publishes notice in the Federal Register that the President has submitted a report to Congress setting forth a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the Secretary of State governing the implementation of this section; or (B) the date occurring 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (f) No Creation of Private Right of Action.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or authorize a private right of action to challenge a decision of a consular officer or other United States official or employee to grant or deny a visa. (g) Study Regarding Use of Foreign Nationals.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study of the role of foreign nationals in the granting or refusal of visas and other documents authorizing entry of aliens into the United States. The study shall address the following: (A) The proper role, if any, of foreign nationals in the process of rendering decisions on such grants and refusals. (B) Any security concerns involving the employment of foreign nationals. (C) Whether there are cost-effective alternatives to the use of foreign nationals. (2) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report containing the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1) to the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on International Relations, and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Government Affairs of the Senate. (h) Report.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report on how the provisions of this section will affect procedures for the issuance of student visas. (i) Visa Issuance Program for Saudi Arabia.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the date of the enactment of this Act all third party screening programs in Saudi Arabia shall be terminated. On-site personnel of the Department of Homeland Security shall review all visa applications prior to adjudication.
SEC. 429. [6 U.S.C. 237] INFORMATION ON VISA DENIALS REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED INTO ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEM.
(a) In General.—Whenever a consular officer of the United States denies a visa to an applicant, the consular officer shall enter the fact and the basis of the denial and the name of the applicant into the interoperable electronic data system implemented under section 202(a) of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1722(a)). (b) Prohibition.—In the case of any alien with respect to whom a visa has been denied under subsection (a)— (1) no subsequent visa may be issued to the alien unless the consular officer considering the alien's visa application has reviewed the information concerning the alien placed in the interoperable electronic data system, has indicated on the alien's application that the information has been reviewed, and has stated for the record why the visa is being issued or a waiver of visa ineligibility recommended in spite of that information; and (2) the alien may not be admitted to the United States without a visa issued in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (1).
SEC. 430. [6 U.S.C. 238] OFFICE FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS.
(a) In General.—The Office for Domestic Preparedness shall be within the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. (b) Director.—There shall be a Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security. (c) Responsibilities.—The Office for Domestic Preparedness shall have the primary responsibility within the executive branch of Government for the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, including— (1) coordinating preparedness efforts at the Federal level, and working with all State, local, tribal, parish, and private sector emergency response providers on all matters pertaining to combating terrorism, including training, exercises, and equipment support; (2) coordinating or, as appropriate, consolidating communications and systems of communications relating to homeland security at all levels of government; (3) directing and supervising terrorism preparedness grant programs of the Federal Government (other than those programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services) for all emergency response providers; (4) incorporating the Strategy priorities into planning guidance on an agency level for the preparedness efforts of the Office for Domestic Preparedness; (5) providing agency-specific training for agents and analysts within the Department, other agencies, and State and local agencies and international entities; (6) as the lead executive branch agency for preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, cooperating closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which shall have the primary responsibility within the executive branch to prepare for and mitigate the effects of nonterrorist- related disasters in the United States; (7) assisting and supporting the Secretary, in coordination with other Directorates and entities outside the Department, in conducting appropriate risk analysis and risk management activities of State, local, and tribal governments consistent with the mission and functions of the Directorate; (8) those elements of the Office of National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency which relate to terrorism, which shall be consolidated within the Department in the Office for Domestic Preparedness established under this section; and (9) helping to ensure the acquisition of interoperable communication technology by State and local governments and emergency response providers. (d) Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004.—During fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004, the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness established under this section shall manage and carry out those functions of the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Justice (transferred under this section) before September 11, 2001, under the same terms, conditions, policies, and authorities, and with the required level of personnel, assets, and budget before September 11, 2001.
SEC. 431. [6 U.S.C. 239] OFFICE OF CARGO SECURITY POLICY.
(a) Establishment.—There is established within the Department an Office of Cargo Security Policy (referred to in this section as the "Office''). (b) Purpose.—The Office shall— (1) coordinate all Department policies relating to cargo security; and (2) consult with stakeholders and coordinate with other Federal agencies in the establishment of standards and regulations and to promote best practices. (c) Director.— (1) Appointment.—The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall— (A) be appointed by the Secretary; and (B) report to the Assistant Secretary for Policy. (2) Responsibilities.—The Director shall— (A) advise the Assistant Secretary for Policy in the development of Department-wide policies regarding cargo security; (B) coordinate all policies relating to cargo security among the agencies and offices within the Department relating to cargo security; and (C) coordinate the cargo security policies of the Department with the policies of other executive agencies.
Subtitle D—Immigration Enforcement Functions
SEC. 441. [6 U.S.C. 251] TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS TO UNDER SECRETARY FOR BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY.
In accordance with title XV (relating to transition provisions), there shall be transferred from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security all functions performed under the following programs, and all personnel, assets, and liabilities pertaining to such programs, immediately before such transfer occurs: (1) The Border Patrol program. (2) The detention and removal program. (3) The intelligence program. (4) The investigations program. (5) The inspections program.
SEC. 442. [6 U.S.C. 252] ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU OF BORDER SECURITY.
(a) Establishment of Bureau.— (1) In general.—There shall be in the Department of Homeland Security a bureau to be known as the "Bureau of Border Security''. (2) Assistant secretary.—The head of the Bureau of Border Security shall be the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security, who— (A) shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; and (B) shall have a minimum of 5 years professional experience in law enforcement, and a minimum of 5 years of management experience. (3) Functions.—The Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security— (A) shall establish the policies for performing such functions as are— (i) transferred to the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security by section 441 and delegated to the Assistant Secretary by the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; or (ii) otherwise vested in the Assistant Secretary by law; (B) shall oversee the administration of such policies; and (C) shall advise the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security with respect to any policy or operation of the Bureau of Border Security that may affect the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services established under subtitle E, including potentially conflicting policies or operations. (4) Program to collect information relating to foreign students.—The Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security shall be responsible for administering the program to collect information relating to nonimmigrant foreign students and other exchange program participants described in section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1372), including the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System established under that section, and shall use such information to carry out the enforcement functions of the Bureau. (5) Managerial rotation program.— (A) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect, the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security shall design and implement a managerial rotation program under which employees of such bureau holding positions involving supervisory or managerial responsibility and classified, in accordance with chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code, as a GS-14 or above, shall— (i) gain some experience in all the major functions performed by such bureau; and (ii) work in at least one local office of such bureau. (B) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date on which the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress on the implementation of such program. (b) Chief of Policy and Strategy.— (1) In general.—There shall be a position of Chief of Policy and Strategy for the Bureau of Border Security. (2) Functions.—In consultation with Bureau of Border Security personnel in local offices, the Chief of Policy and Strategy shall be responsible for— (A) making policy recommendations and performing policy research and analysis on immigration enforcement issues; and (B) coordinating immigration policy issues with the Chief of Policy and Strategy for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (established under subtitle E), as appropriate. (c) Legal Advisor.—There shall be a principal legal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security. The legal advisor shall provide specialized legal advice to the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security and shall represent the bureau in all exclusion, deportation, and removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
SEC. 443. [6 U.S.C. 253] PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND QUALITY REVIEW.
The Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security shall be responsible for— (1) conducting investigations of noncriminal allegations of misconduct, corruption, and fraud involving any employee of the Bureau of Border Security that are not subject to investigation by the Inspector General for the Department; (2) inspecting the operations of the Bureau of Border Security and providing assessments of the quality of the operations of such bureau as a whole and each of its components; and (3) providing an analysis of the management of the Bureau of Border Security.
SEC. 444. [6 U.S.C. 254] EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE.
The Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, impose disciplinary action, including termination of employment, pursuant to policies and procedures applicable to employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on any employee of the Bureau of Border Security who willfully deceives the Congress or agency leadership on any matter.
SEC. 445. [6 U.S.C. 255] REPORT ON IMPROVING ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS.
(a) In General.—The Secretary, not later than 1 year after being sworn into office, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate a report with a plan detailing how the Bureau of Border Security, after the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect, will enforce comprehensively, effectively, and fairly all the enforcement provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) relating to such functions. (b) Consultation.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, the Commissioner of Social Security, the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the heads of State and local law enforcement agencies to determine how to most effectively conduct enforcement operations.
SEC. 446. [6 U.S.C. 256] SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF FENCING NEAR SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
It is the sense of the Congress that completing the 14-mile border fence project required to be carried out under section 102(b) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1103 note) should be a priority for the Secretary.
Subtitle E—Citizenship and Immigration Services
SEC. 451. [6 U.S.C. 271] ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
(a) Establishment of Bureau.— (1) In general.—There shall be in the Department a bureau to be known as the "Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services''. (2) Director.—The head of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall be the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, who— (A) shall report directly to the Deputy Secretary; (B) shall have a minimum of 5 years of management experience; and (C) shall be paid at the same level as the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security. (3) Functions.—The Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services— (A) shall establish the policies for performing such functions as are transferred to the Director by this section or this Act or otherwise vested in the Director by law; (B) shall oversee the administration of such policies; (C) shall advise the Deputy Secretary with respect to any policy or operation of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services that may affect the Bureau of Border Security of the Department, including potentially conflicting policies or operations; (D) shall establish national immigration services policies and priorities; (E) shall meet regularly with the Ombudsman described in section 452 to correct serious service problems identified by the Ombudsman; and (F) shall establish procedures requiring a formal response to any recommendations submitted in the Ombudsman's annual report to Congress within 3 months after its submission to Congress. (4) Managerial rotation program.— (A) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the effective date specified in section 455, the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall design and implement a managerial rotation program under which employees of such bureau holding positions involving supervisory or managerial responsibility and classified, in accordance with chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code, as a GS-14 or above, shall— (i) gain some experience in all the major functions performed by such bureau; and (ii) work in at least one field office and one service center of such bureau. (B) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 455, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the implementation of such program. (5) Pilot initiatives for backlog elimination.—The Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services is authorized to implement innovative pilot initiatives to eliminate any remaining backlog in the processing of immigration benefit applications, and to prevent any backlog in the processing of such applications from recurring, in accordance with section 204(a) of the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2000 (8 U.S.C. 1573(a)). Such initiatives may include measures such as increasing personnel, transferring personnel to focus on areas with the largest potential for backlog, and streamlining paperwork. (b) Transfer of Functions From Commissioner.—In accordance with title XV (relating to transition provisions), there are transferred from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services the following functions, and all personnel, infrastructure, and funding provided to the Commissioner in support of such functions immediately before the effective date specified in section 455: (1) Adjudications of immigrant visa petitions. (2) Adjudications of naturalization petitions. (3) Adjudications of asylum and refugee applications. (4) Adjudications performed at service centers. (5) All other adjudications performed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service immediately before the effective date specified in section 455. (c) Chief of Policy and Strategy.— (1) In general.—There shall be a position of Chief of Policy and Strategy for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2) Functions.—In consultation with Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services personnel in field offices, the Chief of Policy and Strategy shall be responsible for— (A) making policy recommendations and performing policy research and analysis on immigration services issues; and (B) coordinating immigration policy issues with the Chief of Policy and Strategy for the Bureau of Border Security of the Department. (d) Legal Advisor.— (1) In general.—There shall be a principal legal advisor to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2) Functions.—The legal advisor shall be responsible for— (A) providing specialized legal advice, opinions, determinations, regulations, and any other assistance to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services with respect to legal matters affecting the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; and (B) representing the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in visa petition appeal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. (e) Budget Officer.— (1) In general.—There shall be a Budget Officer for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2) Functions.— (A) In general.—The Budget Officer shall be responsible for— (i) formulating and executing the budget of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; (ii) financial management of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; and (iii) collecting all payments, fines, and other debts for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (f) Chief of Office of Citizenship.— (1) In general.—There shall be a position of Chief of the Office of Citizenship for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2) Functions.—The Chief of the Office of Citizenship for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall be responsible for promoting instruction and training on citizenship responsibilities for aliens interested in becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, including the development of educational materials. (g) 1 Office of the FBI Liaison.— —————————————————————————————————————- 1 Subsection (g) of section 451 was added by section 2(a) of Public Law 110-382. Section 4 of such Public Law provides:
SEC. 4. SUNSET PROVISION. —————————————————————————————————————- This Act and the amendments made by this Act are repealed on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. [enactment date is October 9, 2008] —————————————————————————————————————- (1) In general.—There shall be an Office of the FBI Liaison in the Department of Homeland Security. (2) Functions.—The Office of the FBI Liaison shall monitor the progress of the functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the naturalization process to assist in the expeditious completion of all such functions pertaining to naturalization applications filed by, or on behalf of— (A) current or former members of the Armed Forces under section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439 and 1440); (B) current spouses of United States citizens who are currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, who qualify for naturalization under section 319(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1430(b)), and surviving spouses and children who qualify for naturalization under section 319(d) of such Act; or (C) a deceased individual who is eligible for posthumous citizenship under section 329A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1440-1). (3) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
SEC. 452. [6 U.S.C. 272] CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES OMBUDSMAN.
(a) In General.—Within the Department, there shall be a position of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (in this section referred to as the "Ombudsman''). The Ombudsman shall report directly to the Deputy Secretary. The Ombudsman shall have a background in customer service as well as immigration law. (b) Functions.—It shall be the function of the Ombudsman— (1) to assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; (2) to identify areas in which individuals and employers have problems in dealing with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; and (3) to the extent possible, to propose changes in the administrative practices of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to mitigate problems identified under paragraph (2). (c) Annual Reports.— (1) Objectives.—Not later than June 30 of each calendar year, the Ombudsman shall report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the objectives of the Office of the Ombudsman for the fiscal year beginning in such calendar year. Any such report shall contain full and substantive analysis, in addition to statistical information, and— (A) shall identify the recommendations the Office of the Ombudsman has made on improving services and responsiveness of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; (B) shall contain a summary of the most pervasive and serious problems encountered by individuals and employers, including a description of the nature of such problems; (C) shall contain an inventory of the items described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) for which action has been taken and the result of such action; (D) shall contain an inventory of the items described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) for which action remains to be completed and the period during which each item has remained on such inventory; (E) shall contain an inventory of the items described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) for which no action has been taken, the period during which each item has remained on such inventory, the reasons for the inaction, and shall identify any official of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services who is responsible for such inaction; (F) shall contain recommendations for such administrative action as may be appropriate to resolve problems encountered by individuals and employers, including problems created by excessive backlogs in the adjudication and processing of immigration benefit petitions and applications; and (G) shall include such other information as the Ombudsman may deem advisable. (2) Report to be submitted directly.—Each report required under this subsection shall be provided directly to the committees described in paragraph (1) without any prior comment or amendment from the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any other officer or employee of the Department or the Office of Management and Budget. (d) Other Responsibilities.—The Ombudsman— (1) shall monitor the coverage and geographic allocation of local offices of the Ombudsman; (2) shall develop guidance to be distributed to all officers and employees of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services outlining the criteria for referral of inquiries to local offices of the Ombudsman; (3) shall ensure that the local telephone number for each local office of the Ombudsman is published and available to individuals and employers served by the office; and (4) shall meet regularly with the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to identify serious service problems and to present recommendations for such administrative action as may be appropriate to resolve problems encountered by individuals and employers. (e) Personnel Actions.— (1) In general.—The Ombudsman shall have the responsibility and authority— (A) to appoint local ombudsmen and make available at least 1 such ombudsman for each State; and (B) to evaluate and take personnel actions (including dismissal) with respect to any employee of any local office of the Ombudsman. (2) Consultation.—The Ombudsman may consult with the appropriate supervisory personnel of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in carrying out the Ombudsman's responsibilities under this subsection. (f) Responsibilities of Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.—The Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall establish procedures requiring a formal response to all recommendations submitted to such director by the Ombudsman within 3 months after submission to such director. (g) Operation of Local Offices.— (1) In general.—Each local ombudsman— (A) shall report to the Ombudsman or the delegate thereof; (B) may consult with the appropriate supervisory personnel of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding the daily operation of the local office of such ombudsman; (C) shall, at the initial meeting with any individual or employer seeking the assistance of such local office, notify such individual or employer that the local offices of the Ombudsman operate independently of any other component of the Department and report directly to Congress through the Ombudsman; and (D) at the local ombudsman's discretion, may determine not to disclose to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services contact with, or information provided by, such individual or employer. (2) Maintenance of independent communications.— Each local office of the Ombudsman shall maintain a phone, facsimile, and other means of electronic communication access, and a post office address, that is separate from those maintained by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any component of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
SEC. 453. [6 U.S.C. 273] PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND QUALITY REVIEW.
(a) In General.—The Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall be responsible for— (1) conducting investigations of noncriminal allegations of misconduct, corruption, and fraud involving any employee of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services that are not subject to investigation by the Inspector General for the Department; (2) inspecting the operations of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and providing assessments of the quality of the operations of such bureau as a whole and each of its components; and (3) providing an analysis of the management of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (b) Special Considerations.—In providing assessments in accordance with subsection (a)(2) with respect to a decision of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any of its components, consideration shall be given to— (1) the accuracy of the findings of fact and conclusions of law used in rendering the decision; (2) any fraud or misrepresentation associated with the decision; and (3) the efficiency with which the decision was rendered.
SEC. 454. [6 U.S.C. 274] EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE.
The Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, impose disciplinary action, including termination of employment, pursuant to policies and procedures applicable to employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on any employee of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services who willfully deceives Congress or agency leadership on any matter.
SEC. 455. [6 U.S.C. 271 NOTE] EFFECTIVE DATE.
Notwithstanding section 4, sections 451 through 456, and the amendments made by such sections, shall take effect on the date on which the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect.
SEC. 456. [6 U.S.C. 275] TRANSITION.
(a) References.—With respect to any function transferred by this subtitle to, and exercised on or after the effective date specified in section 455 by, the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, any reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or pertaining to a component of government from which such function is transferred— (1) to the head of such component is deemed to refer to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services; or (2) to such component is deemed to refer to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. (b) Other Transition Issues.— (1) Exercise of authorities.—Except as otherwise provided by law, a Federal official to whom a function is transferred by this subtitle may, for purposes of performing the function, exercise all authorities under any other provision of law that were available with respect to the performance of that function to the official responsible for the performance of the function immediately before the effective date specified in section 455. (2) Transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel.—The personnel of the Department of Justice employed in connection with the functions transferred by this subtitle (and functions that the Secretary determines are properly related to the functions of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services), and the assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balance of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed, held, used, arising from, available to, or to be made available to, the Immigration and Naturalization Service in connection with the functions transferred by this subtitle, subject to section 202 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, shall be transferred to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for allocation to the appropriate component of the Department. Unexpended funds transferred pursuant to this paragraph shall be used only for the purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and appropriated. The Secretary shall have the right to adjust or realign transfers of funds and personnel effected pursuant to this subtitle for a period of 2 years after the effective date specified in section 455. * * * * * * *
SEC. 459. [6 U.S.C. 276] REPORT ON IMPROVING IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
(a) In General.—The Secretary, not later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act, shall submit to the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the Senate a report with a plan detailing how the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, after the transfer of functions specified in this subtitle takes effect, will complete efficiently, fairly, and within a reasonable time, the adjudications described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 451(b). (b) Contents.—For each type of adjudication to be undertaken by the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the report shall include the following: (1) Any potential savings of resources that may be implemented without affecting the quality of the adjudication. (2) The goal for processing time with respect to the application. (3) Any statutory modifications with respect to the adjudication that the Secretary considers advisable. (c) Consultation.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Labor, the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security of the Department, and the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review to determine how to streamline and improve the process for applying for and making adjudications described in section 451(b) and related processes.
SEC. 460. [6 U.S.C. 277] REPORT ON RESPONDING TO FLUCTUATING NEEDS.
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on changes in law, including changes in authorizations of appropriations and in appropriations, that are needed to permit the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and, after the transfer of functions specified in this subtitle takes effect, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department, to ensure a prompt and timely response to emergent, unforeseen, or impending changes in the number of applications for immigration benefits, and otherwise to ensure the accommodation of changing immigration service needs.
SEC. 461. [6 U.S.C. 278] APPLICATION OF INTERNET-BASED TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Establishment of Tracking System.—The Secretary, not later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act, in consultation with the Technology Advisory Committee established under subsection (c), shall establish an Internet-based system, that will permit a person, employer, immigrant, or nonimmigrant who has filings with the Secretary for any benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), access to online information about the processing status of the filing involved. (b) Feasibility Study for Online Filing and Improved Processing.— (1) Online filing.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Technology Advisory Committee established under subsection (c), shall conduct a feasibility study on the online filing of the filings described in subsection (a). The study shall include a review of computerization and technology of the Immigration and Naturalization Service relating to the immigration services and processing of filings related to immigrant services. The study shall also include an estimate of the timeframe and cost and shall consider other factors in implementing such a filing system, including the feasibility of fee payment online. (2) Report.—A report on the study under this subsection shall be submitted to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act. (c) Technology Advisory Committee.— (1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish, not later than 60 days after the effective date of this Act, an advisory committee (in this section referred to as the "Technology Advisory Committee'') to assist the Secretary in— (A) establishing the tracking system under subsection (a); and (B) conducting the study under subsection (b). The Technology Advisory Committee shall be established after consultation with the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate. (2) Composition.—The Technology Advisory Committee shall be composed of representatives from high technology companies capable of establishing and implementing the system in an expeditious manner, and representatives of persons who may use the tracking system described in subsection (a) and the online filing system described in subsection (b)(1).
SEC. 462. [6 U.S.C. 279] CHILDREN'S AFFAIRS.
(a) Transfer of Functions.—There are transferred to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services functions under the immigration laws of the United States with respect to the care of unaccompanied alien children that were vested by statute in, or performed by, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization (or any officer, employee, or component of the Immigration and Naturalization Service) immediately before the effective date specified in subsection (d). (b) Functions.— (1) In general.—Pursuant to the transfer made by subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement shall be responsible for— (A) coordinating and implementing the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children who are in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status, including developing a plan to be submitted to Congress on how to ensure that qualified and independent legal counsel is timely appointed to represent the interests of each such child, consistent with the law regarding appointment of counsel that is in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; (B) ensuring that the interests of the child are considered in decisions and actions relating to the care and custody of an unaccompanied alien child; (C) making placement determinations for all unaccompanied alien children who are in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status; (D) implementing the placement determinations; (E) implementing policies with respect to the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children; (F) identifying a sufficient number of qualified individuals, entities, and facilities to house unaccompanied alien children; (G) overseeing the infrastructure and personnel of facilities in which unaccompanied alien children reside; (H) reuniting unaccompanied alien children with a parent abroad in appropriate cases; (I) compiling, updating, and publishing at least annually a state-by-state list of professionals or other entities qualified to provide guardian and attorney representation services for unaccompanied alien children; (J) maintaining statistical information and other data on unaccompanied alien children for whose care and placement the Director is responsible, which shall include— (i) biographical information, such as a child's name, gender, date of birth, country of birth, and country of habitual residence; (ii) the date on which the child came into Federal custody by reason of his or her immigration status; (iii) information relating to the child's placement, removal, or release from each facility in which the child has resided; (iv) in any case in which the child is placed in detention or released, an explanation relating to the detention or release; and (v) the disposition of any actions in which the child is the subject; (K) collecting and compiling statistical information from the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State on each department's actions relating to unaccompanied alien children; and (L) conducting investigations and inspections of facilities and other entities in which unaccompanied alien children reside. (2) Coordination with other entities; no release on own recognizance.—In making determinations described in paragraph (1)(C), the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement— (A) shall consult with appropriate juvenile justice professionals, the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Border Security to ensure that such determinations ensure that unaccompanied alien children described in such subparagraph— (i) are likely to appear for all hearings or proceedings in which they are involved; (ii) are protected from smugglers, traffickers, or others who might seek to victimize or otherwise engage them in criminal, harmful, or exploitive activity; and (iii) are placed in a setting in which they are not likely to pose a danger to themselves or others; and (B) shall not release such children upon their own recognizance. (3) Duties with respect to foster care.—In carrying out the duties described in paragraph (1)(G), the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement is encouraged to use the refugee children foster care system established pursuant to section 412(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(d)) for the placement of unaccompanied alien children. (c) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to transfer the responsibility for adjudicating benefit determinations under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) from the authority of any official of the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of State. (d) Effective Date.—Notwithstanding section 4, this section shall take effect on the date on which the transfer of functions specified under section 441 takes effect. (e) References.—With respect to any function transferred by this section, any reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or pertaining to a component of government from which such function is transferred— (1) to the head of such component is deemed to refer to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement; or (2) to such component is deemed to refer to the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services. (f) Other Transition Issues.— (1) Exercise of authorities.—Except as otherwise provided by law, a Federal official to whom a function is transferred by this section may, for purposes of performing the function, exercise all authorities under any other provision of law that were available with respect to the performance of that function to the official responsible for the performance of the function immediately before the effective date specified in subsection (d). (2) Savings provisions.—Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 1512 shall apply to a transfer of functions under this section in the same manner as such provisions apply to a transfer of functions under this Act to the Department of Homeland Security. (3) Transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel.—The personnel of the Department of Justice employed in connection with the functions transferred by this section, and the assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balance of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed, held, used, arising from, available to, or to be made available to, the Immigration and Naturalization Service in connection with the functions transferred by this section, subject to section 202 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, shall be transferred to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement for allocation to the appropriate component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Unexpended funds transferred pursuant to this paragraph shall be used only for the purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and appropriated. (g) Definitions.—As used in this section— (1) the term "placement'' means the placement of an unaccompanied alien child in either a detention facility or an alternative to such a facility; and (2) the term "unaccompanied alien child'' means a child who— (A) has no lawful immigration status in the United States; (B) has not attained 18 years of age; and (C) with respect to whom— (i) there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or (ii) no parent or legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody. |
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