DHS Use of Force Transparency Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7984

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:08:05Z

AI-Generated Summary

DHS Use of Force Transparency Act of 2026 (H.R. 7984)

Purpose

This bill aims to increase transparency from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding specific use-of-force incidents and deaths in custody by requiring the agency to provide Congress with comprehensive, unredacted documents and materials.

Key Provisions

• Timeline and Recipients: Within 30 calendar days of enactment, the DHS Secretary must deliver all relevant documents, records, data, and materials to:
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (also known as the Oversight Committee).
• Covered Incidents (occurring on or after January 20, 2025):
• Any shooting by a DHS officer or agent that wounds or kills an individual.
• Any death of a person in DHS custody.
• Required Materials (in DHS possession, including from components like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)):
• Video/audio footage (body cameras, dash cams, surveillance, drones).
• Written reports (incident, use-of-force, after-action, supervisory reviews, internal investigations, witness/officer statements, medical reports, communications logs).
• Communications (emails, texts, encrypted messages, inter-agency exchanges, leadership discussions).
• Policies and training (use-of-force rules, officer training records, policy deviations).
• Photographic evidence (crime scene photos, video stills, forensics).
• Disciplinary records for involved officers/agents.
• Any other materials DHS deems relevant for congressional oversight.
• Production Format: Materials must be provided unredacted to the maximum extent allowed by law. Any redactions require a written justification with specific legal citations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a mandatory, time-bound disclosure requirement specifically for post-January 20, 2025, incidents, which does not appear to exist in current law for automatic congressional production.
• Expands oversight by detailing an exhaustive list of materials, including digital communications and training records, beyond typical voluntary disclosures.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DHS must rapidly compile and review vast amounts of sensitive materials, potentially straining resources and internal processes (e.g., ICE and CBP Offices of Professional Responsibility).
• Citizens: Increases public accountability for DHS actions in shootings and custody deaths, possibly aiding families or advocates seeking information (though materials go only to Congress, not public release).
• Congress: Enhances oversight capabilities for investigating DHS use-of-force patterns.
• No direct impacts on international relations noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS and Components: Primary target for compliance (Secretary, ICE, CBP, officers/agents).
• Congressional Committees: Direct recipients with oversight authority.
• Families and Victims: Indirectly affected through potential investigations into incidents.
• Law Enforcement Personnel: Involved officers/agents face scrutiny via disciplinary records.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Balances transparency with existing laws on redactions (e.g., privacy or classification protections), requiring justifications to prevent arbitrary withholding.
• Constitutional: Leverages Congress's oversight powers over executive agencies (Article I), potentially testing executive privilege limits in court if disputed.
• Political: Narrowly targeted at recent incidents; introduced by Representatives Min, Pressley, Norton, and Swalwell; referred to multiple committees (Homeland Security, Judiciary, Ways and Means) for broader review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
• 2026-03-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
• 2026-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• DHS Use of Force Transparency Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (5 pages)