COOL IT Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8639

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-05-08T08:08:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The COOL IT Act (H.R. 8639) aims to improve training for immigration officers by requiring a new scenario-based curriculum focused on key skills like de-escalation and use of force, and mandating a minimum initial training period. This is intended to enhance officer safety, decision-making, and community relations during immigration enforcement.

Key Provisions

• Scenario-Based Training Curriculum (Sec. 2):
• The Secretary of Homeland Security, working with the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), must develop and implement a curriculum within 90 days of enactment.
• Immigration officers must complete it annually and receive certification upon completion.
• Topics include:
• Improving community-police relations.
• Officer safety and resilience.
• Situational awareness and stress responses.
• Critical decision-making, de-escalation, use of force (including deadly force), and crisis intervention.
• Requires consultation with law enforcement groups, community organizations, and defense/national security agencies.
• DHS must provide technical assistance, evaluate best practices, and submit a report to Congress within 180 days on benefits, barriers, and improvement recommendations.
• Minimum Initial Training (Sec. 3):
• Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require at least 67 days of training before any immigration officer or employee performs enforcement duties.
• Definition of "Immigration Officer":
• Includes federal employees authorized to perform immigration functions or arrests under INA sections 101 and 287(a).
• Extends to state or local officers operating under INA section 287(g) agreements (which allow local law enforcement to assist federal immigration enforcement).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• New Annual Training Requirement: Introduces mandatory scenario-based training and certification, not previously required.
• Minimum Training Threshold: Adds a specific 67-day initial training mandate to INA Section 287, setting a floor for pre-duty preparation.
• No changes to core immigration enforcement powers, but enhances training standards.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DHS (including ICE) and FLETC face immediate development and implementation burdens; annual training could increase operational costs but improve officer performance.
• Citizens and Communities: Better-trained officers may lead to safer interactions, reduced use-of-force incidents, and improved trust in immigration enforcement, especially in communities affected by raids or arrests.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced training could indirectly support more professional U.S. border and interior enforcement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Immigration Officers: Federal (e.g., ICE, CBP) and state/local (under 287(g) programs) personnel must complete new annual training and 67-day initial requirement.
• DHS and FLETC: Responsible for curriculum development, delivery, and reporting.
• Community and Law Enforcement Groups: Consulted in development; communities may benefit from de-escalation focus.
• Congress: Receives oversight report.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens training accountability under INA without altering enforcement authority; certification process could create enforceable standards for officer qualifications.
• Constitutional: Aligns with due process by promoting de-escalation and proportional force, potentially reducing civil rights litigation risks (e.g., excessive force claims under the Fourth Amendment).
• Political: Bipartisan appeal in emphasizing officer safety and community relations; may face debate over costs or scope for state/local officers, but no major controversies evident in the bill text.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
• 2026-04-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Critical Operation Oversight of Law Enforcement Intervention and Training Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)