A bill to prohibit the transfer of Department of Homeland Security staff from an international land port of entry along southwest border unless such transfer would not impact the processing of trade through such port of entry, such staff would be immediately replaced, or such staff are needed to actively engage in physical detentions to secure such border, and for other purposes.

2/12/2024, 9:08 AM

Summary of Bill S 3796

Bill 118 s 3796, also known as the "Department of Homeland Security Staff Transfer Prohibition Act," aims to prevent the transfer of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staff from international land ports of entry along the southwest border. The bill states that such transfers should not be allowed if they would negatively impact the processing of trade through these ports of entry.

The bill also specifies that staff should only be transferred if they can be immediately replaced or if they are needed to actively engage in physical detentions to secure the border. This means that staff should not be moved away from their duties at the ports of entry unless there are clear and pressing reasons for doing so.

Overall, the purpose of this bill is to ensure that the DHS staff at international land ports of entry along the southwest border are able to effectively carry out their duties without being unnecessarily transferred, which could potentially disrupt trade and border security operations.

Congressional Summary of S 3796

Keeping International Land Ports of Entry Open Act

This bill prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees from being transferred out of any land port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, except in specified circumstances.

The bill permits transfers only if (1) the employee is immediately replaced by an employee of similar ability; (2) the transfer would not affect the processing of trade through the port of entry; or (3) the transfer is necessary to actively engage in physical detentions to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Further, DHS must provide a written notice and explanation of any such transfer to the public and to specified congressional committees no later than 24 hours after the transfer. The committees are the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

Current Status of Bill S 3796

Bill S 3796 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 11, 2024. Bill S 3796 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 11, 2024. Bill S 3796's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of February 11, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 3796

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 3796

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 3796

A bill to prohibit the transfer of Department of Homeland Security staff from an international land port of entry along southwest border unless such transfer would not impact the processing of trade through such port of entry, such staff would be immediately replaced, or such staff are needed to actively engage in physical detentions to secure such border, and for other purposes.