Sec. 502. Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Task Force
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There is established an independent task force, which shall be known as the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Task Force (referred to in this section as the DHS Task Force ). The DHS Task Force shall— review and make recommendations regarding immigration and border enforcement policies, strategies, and programs that take into consideration their impacts on border communities; recommend ways in which the Border Communities Liaison Offices can strengthen relations and collaboration between communities in the border regions and the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal agencies that carry out such policies, strategies, and programs; evaluate how the policies, strategies, and programs of Federal agencies operating along the international borders between the United States and Mexico and between the United States and Canada protect the due process, civil, and human rights of border residents, visitors, and migrants at and near such borders; and evaluate and make recommendations regarding the training of border enforcement personnel.
The DHS Task Force shall be composed of 26 members, appointed by the President, who have expertise in migration, local crime indices, civil and human rights, community relations, cross-border trade and commerce, quality of life indicators, or other pertinent experience, of whom— 13 members shall be from the northern border region and shall include— two local government elected officials; two local law enforcement official; two civil rights advocates; one business representative; one higher education representative; one representative of a faith community; two representatives of the Border Patrol; and two tribal officials; and 17 members shall be from the southern border region and shall include— three local government elected officials; three local law enforcement officials; three civil rights advocates; two business representatives; one higher education representative; one representative of a faith community; two representatives of the Border Patrol; and two tribal officials.
Individuals appointed as members of the DHS Task Force may not be employed by the Federal Government. Members of the Task Force shall be appointed for the shorter of— three years; or the duration of the DHS Task Force. The members of the DHS Task Force shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair from among its members, who shall serve in such capacities for the duration of the DHS Task Force or until removed by the majority vote of at least 14 members. The DHS Task Force shall hold its first meeting not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The DHS Task Force may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties, hold hearings, sit and act, take testimony, receive evidence, and administer oaths. The DHS Task Force may make findings or recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security related to the duties described in subsection (a)(2). Not later than 180 days after receiving the findings and recommendations from the DHS Task Force under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue a response that describes how the Department of Homeland Security has addressed, or will address, such findings and recommendations.
The Chair, or 16 members of the DHS Task Force, may request statistics relating to the duties described in subsection (a)(2) directly from the head of any Federal agency, who shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the DHS Task Force. Members of the DHS Task Force shall serve without pay, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Not later than two years after its first meeting under subsection (b)(1), the DHS Task Force shall submit to the President, the appropriate congressional committees, and the Secretary of Homeland Security a final report that contains— findings with respect to the duties of the DHS Task Force; and recommendations regarding border and immigration enforcement policies, strategies, and programs, including— a recommendation as to whether the DHS Task Force should continue to operate; and a description of any duties the DHS Task Force should be responsible for after the termination date described in subsection (d).