Where do you stand?

house Bill H.R. 877

Increased Congressional Oversight of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Argument in favor

Streamlines and clarifies the mission and objectives of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Integrates, streamlines and modernizes national security.

John's Opinion

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06/21/2015

If this can override this Presidents illegal actions to NOT enforce immigration law, do it. But if not, why bother...

Like (4)

BTSundra's Opinion

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02/05/2016

I would prefer if we enforce the laws on the books instead of making new ones. If this had to happen though, I see this as a step in the right direction.

Like (3)

Robert's Opinion

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02/26/2015

I voted for you to put a stop to Mr Obama's socialistic, Islamic tolerant and overly politically correct agenda. The time is right now to dig un your heels and fight for what's right. If he is illegally allowed to let potential dem. Voters to pour our borders, our party and our way of life will be lost and generations to come will look at this failure with shock and disappointment. Let him shut it down and blame us. People are intelligent enough to understand. PASS ONLY A CLEAN HOMELAND SECURITY BILL! It's the only thing that will secure our position. Let's not allow this only once in our history opportunity get away! My 2 cents worth... Bob T. Springfield, OH

Like (2)

Argument opposed

With few details to go off of, it’s hard to tell how the agency would change, and what sort of impact those changes would have on national security, immigration and customs.

Steven's Opinion

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02/05/2016

What would all the poor Law Enforcement Agencies do if congress weren't there to oversee them? Congress can't do its own job, so it has no room to criticize any other agency in performance of its duties.

Like (6)

Mark's Opinion

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02/26/2016

How about actually letting them do their job for once. Instead of giving ILLEGAL immigrants free reign of our country.

Like (4)

Loraki's Opinion

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09/28/2016

There are some troubling provisions in this bill (page 5 of 16). I don't know if this has been allowed all along; I never really looked into it before (Shame on me!). Text of bill: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr877/BILLS-114hr877ih.pdf ‘‘(d) GENERAL ENFORCEMENT POWERS.— The Director may authorize agents and officers of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to— ‘‘(1) execute any warrants issued under the laws of the United States; ‘‘(2) issue and serve administrative or judicial subpoenas and summonses; ‘‘(3) carry firearms; ‘‘(4) make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony; ‘‘(5) seize any property, whether real or personal, that is involved in any violation or attempted violation, or which constitutes proceeds traceable to a violation, of those provisions of law which United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is authorized to enforce;

Like (4)

What is House Bill H.R. 877?

This bill would “authorize” the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), clarifying the mission and objectives of the agency. In 2003, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act—legislation that organized 22 different agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Customs Service became part of the Department of Homeland Security and was subsequently split into two, new agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Homeland Security Act, which was pushed through Congress in the wake of 9/11, makes no mention of ICE whatsoever. In addition to clarifying ICE's objectives and procedures, the bill would also eliminate language from the Homeland Security Act that applies to federal agencies that no longer exist.

A separate but related bill seeks similar authorization for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Impact

The bill impacts ICE, the agency that deals with identifying and eliminating security vulnerabilities along the U.S. border. These issues include human trafficking, drug smuggling and arms trafficking. Legislators have said that while they seek to change little with how ICE operates at present, the bill would provide Congress with greater ability to make changes in the future.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 877

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

Media:

Brownsville Herald

Dept. Of Homeland Security: Written Testimony Relating to Bill

Of Note:

-ICE is the second-largest criminal investigative agency in the U.S., behind only the FBI.

AKA

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act

Official Title

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

Not enacted
The President has not signed this bill
The senate has not voted
The house has not voted
IntroducedFebruary 11th, 2015

Bill Data

Issues

Immigration

Committees

Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations
Trade
Committee on Homeland Security
Committee on the Judiciary
Immigration and Citizenship
Committee on Ways and Means

Sponsor

Rep Candice Miller

(R - MI)

2 Cosponsors

Introduced 02/11/2015

Full text of Bill

Steven's Opinion Against

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02/05/2016

Like (6)

John's Opinion In Favor

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06/21/2015

If this can override this Presidents illegal actions to NOT enforce immigration law, do it. But if not, why bother...

Like (4)

Loraki's Opinion Against

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09/28/2016

Like (4)

Mark's Opinion Against

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02/26/2016

How about actually letting them do their job for once. Instead of giving ILLEGAL immigrants free reign of our country.

Like (4)

Alis's Opinion Against

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06/30/2015

Get your own house in order, Paul Ryan. Congressional oversight doesn't help. You mostly act like toddlers on crack--power crazy & developmentally disabled. You get in the way & create busy work for people who have real jobs to do. They are adults & don't have access to the Congressional crack. Get out of the business of thinking you can help. You can't to the jobs you were elected to do and embarrass the country on a daily basis. After the next election, when most of you lose (and the country wins!) perhaps you will be in a position to do something other than show your crack crazy asses in public!

Like (3)

Elinor's Opinion Against

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06/14/2015

DC under liberals has determined that we should have no way to stop illegals and terrorist from invading our home. Thus, give all federal money for border security to border states' militias to do the job BO and others of his ilk refuse -- simply for political gain! -- to do

Like (3)

BTSundra's Opinion In Favor

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02/05/2016

I would prefer if we enforce the laws on the books instead of making new ones. If this had to happen though, I see this as a step in the right direction.

Like (3)

Bfallen07's Opinion In Favor

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06/23/2015

They are letting murdering bastards go free!

Like (2)

Robert's Opinion In Favor

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02/26/2015

Like (2)

Bullmom's Opinion In Favor

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07/13/2016

I agree with other comment of if it can overturn Obama's continually looking the other way when it comes to illegals - there is a process to enter the US -

Like (1)

SouthernGal's Opinion Against

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02/13/2016

Lol! Once I stopped laughing, I voted no. Congress has not been able to reform immigration, who really thinks they can now keep an eye on ICE? This has all the hallmarks of a GOP election year pos legislation put forward to "impress their ignorant base" of how hard they are working, but Obama, ya know.....

Like (1)