Homeland Security Improvement Act

The Homeland Security Improvement Act establishes a 30-member Border Oversight Commission with balanced regional representation from northern and southern border communities to review border enforcement policies and their impact on border residents. It creates an Ombudsman for Border and Immigration-Related Concerns within the Department of Homeland Security to independently receive and investigate complaints about border enforcement activities, including facility inspections and establishing a standardized complaint process. The bill mandates enhanced training for border enforcement personnel focusing on community relations, use of force policies, cultural awareness, and handling vulnerable populations. Additionally, it requires data collection on border enforcement stops and includes provisions to prohibit family separations for deterrence purposes.