H.R. 9068

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9068 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9068

To strengthen hiring and screening standards for immigration 
enforcement officers and to strengthen uniform, identification, and 
professional conduct standards for such officers.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 29, 2026

Mr. Neguse (for himself, Ms. Pettersen, and Mr. Crow) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 
and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To strengthen hiring and screening standards for immigration 
enforcement officers and to strengthen uniform, identification, and 
professional conduct standards for such officers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

This Act may be cited as the ``Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, 
and Standards for Transparency Act'' or the ``TRUST Act''.

SEC. 2. STRENGTHENED HIRING AND SCREENING STANDARDS FOR IMMIGRATION 
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

(a) Minimum Eligibility Requirements.--The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall enhance the performance, professionalism, and integrity 
of immigration enforcement officers and agents by establishing 
strengthened hiring and screening standards for all newly hired 
officers and agents.
(b) Standards.--The standards required under subsection (a) shall 
require each applicant--
(1) to be at least 20 years of age at the time of 
application and at least 21 years of age at the start of the 
next scheduled basic training academy;
(2) to possess a high school diploma or equivalent 
credential at the time of application;
(3) to possess authorization to live and work in the United 
States, as demonstrated by documentation sufficient to satisfy 
employment eligibility verification requirements under Federal 
law; and
(4) to undergo comprehensive background investigations that 
include--
(A) criminal history checks;
(B) reviews of prior law enforcement or military 
service, including disciplinary records and sustained 
complaints;
(C) screening for any history of domestic violence, 
sexual assault, or other violent conduct;
(D) drug use screening consistent with Federal law;
(E) reviews for affiliations with terrorist 
organizations, violent extremist groups, or hate-based 
organizations;
(F) reviews of publicly available social media and 
online activity for evidence of bias, extremism, 
discriminatory conduct, or advocacy of violence; and
(G) psychological suitability assessments to ensure 
fitness for duty, sound judgment, and the ability to 
safely interact with the public.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY UNIFORM AND IDENTIFICATION 
REGULATIONS.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that Department of Homeland Security 
law enforcement personnel, including U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement officers and agents (including Enforcement and Removal 
Operations and Homeland Security Investigations) and U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection officers, agents, and specialists, wear a uniform 
that identifies such personnel--
(1) as Federal immigration law enforcement authorities; and
(2) as authorized personnel of a specific directorate 
within the Department of Homeland Security and not as 
``Police''.
(b) Uniform Requirements.--
(1) In general.--All uniformed Department of Homeland 
Security law enforcement personnel, including sworn U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents and 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents, and 
specialists--
(A) shall possess and maintain at all times a 
serviceable uniform and the necessary equipment to 
perform uniformed field duty;
(B) shall maintain their uniforms and equipment in 
a serviceable condition in order to be ready at any 
time for immediate use;
(C) shall keep their uniforms neat, clean, and 
having the appearance of being professionally pressed;
(D) may only wear the uniform specified for their 
rank, assignment, and component within the Department 
of Homeland Security;
(E) may not loan any portion of the uniform to 
others; and
(F) may not permit the uniform, badge, insignia, or 
markings to be reproduced or duplicated.
(2) Inspections.--All supervisors shall perform periodic 
inspections of Department of Homeland Security law enforcement 
personnel to ensure conformance with Department of Homeland 
Security uniform specifications and procedures.
(3) Civilian attire.--Civilian attire may not be worn in 
combination with any distinguishable part of the official 
Department of Homeland Security uniform.
(4) Time and place restrictions.--Department of Homeland 
Security law enforcement personnel may only wear a uniform 
while on duty, while in transit to or from duty, for court 
appearances, or at other official Department of Homeland 
Security functions or events.
(5) Limitation on purchase or consumption of alcoholic 
beverages.--Department of Homeland Security law enforcement 
personnel may not purchase or consume alcoholic beverages while 
wearing any part of their uniform.

SEC. 4. DEPARTMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION.

(a) In General.--The Department of Homeland Security shall issue to 
each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer or agent and each 
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer, agent, or specialist an 
official identification card bearing the employee's name, identifying 
information, photograph, and a unique serial number. All such personnel 
shall be in possession of such identification card while on duty or 
when carrying a concealed firearm under Federal authority.
(b) Display.--Except as provided in subsection (c)(2), Department 
of Homeland Security officers and agents shall clearly display their 
Department-issued identification and badge in a courteous manner to any 
person upon request and as soon as practical while on duty or acting in 
an official capacity.
(c) Visibility Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
section 5(b), every Department of Homeland Security immigration 
enforcement officer or agent conducting an immigration 
enforcement function shall visibly display--
(A) the individual's last name and a unique 
identifier;
(B) the name of the employing agency; and
(C) the face of such officer or agent.
(2) Exceptions.--
(A) In general.--The requirement under paragraph 
(1) shall not apply to any individual who is engaged in 
an undercover assignment involving the use of an 
assumed name or a cover identity.
(B) Face covering.--The requirement under paragraph 
(1)(C) shall not apply if the officer or agent--
(i) is engaged in a specialized tactical 
assignment;
(ii) is working in a hazardous or high-risk 
environment;
(iii) is wearing a face covering as a 
protection from weather-related conditions; or
(iv) has received prior approval to wear a 
face covering due to a medical condition.
(d) Specialized and Undercover Exceptions.--
(1) Defined term.--In this section and in section 6, the 
term ``undercover assignment'' only means an authorized 
investigative operation in which--
(A) an agent is assuming a covert identity or 
persona to infiltrate a specific criminal enterprise;
(B) the mission is conducted for the primary 
purpose of gathering evidence regarding felony 
violations of Federal law, such as human trafficking or 
narcotics smuggling; and
(C) the revelation of the agent's identity would 
pose an immediate and demonstrable threat to the safety 
of the agent or the integrity of the investigation.
(2) Arrest team requirements.--Notwithstanding any 
undercover assignment, all agents involved in the physical 
arrest, transport, or processing of a detained individual must 
be clearly identifiable in accordance with the standards 
described in subsections (a) and (b).

SEC. 5. BADGE AND DISTINCTIVE IDENTIFICATION.

(a) Issuance.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue to 
each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer or agent, each 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, agent, or specialist, and 
each other Department of Homeland Security sworn enforcement officer a 
badge of authority bearing the seal of the Department of Homeland 
Security and the title of the directorate for which they are employed 
encircling such seal, along with the designation of the position held 
by the officer. Each such badge shall be serially numbered and each 
officer shall display a distinctive identifying number.
(b) Display.--All Department of Homeland Security officers and 
agents and other uniformed Department of Homeland Security immigration 
enforcement personnel, while on duty, shall be dressed in full 
distinctive uniform and shall display the official badge and visible 
identification of their office, except when authorized by the Secretary 
or designee to operate in plain clothes.
(c) Restriction.--Neither the Secretary of Homeland Security nor 
any other person may issue a badge, uniform, insignia, or 
identification to any individual who is not a duly authorized, 
classified, and regularly appointed officer or employee of the 
Department of Homeland Security.
(d) Criminal Penalties for Misrepresentation.--Any person who, 
without authority, wears or duplicates a Department of Homeland 
Security badge, uniform, or equipment with intent to represent himself 
or herself as a Federal immigration officer shall be subject to Federal 
criminal penalties.

SEC. 6. BODY-WORN CAMERAS.

(a) Provision of Body-Worn Cameras.--The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall ensure that each immigration enforcement officer or 
agent who interacts with members of the public is equipped with a body-
worn camera. All such cameras shall be worn in a location and manner 
that maximizes the camera's ability to capture video footage of the 
officer's activities.
(b) Required Activation.--Except as provided under subsections (c) 
and (d), an immigration enforcement officer or agent shall wear and 
activate a body-worn camera, and a dash camera if the officer's vehicle 
is equipped with such a camera, while--
(1) responding to a call for an enforcement action;
(2) entering any premises for the purpose of enforcing the 
law or investigating possible violations of law; or
(3) engaging in any interaction with a member of the public 
initiated by an officer or agent, whether consensual or 
nonconsensual, for the purpose of enforcing the law or 
investigating possible violations of law.
(c) Exceptions; Privacy Notifications.--
(1) En route.--A body-worn camera need not be activated 
while an officer or agent is traveling to a call for an 
enforcement action, but shall be activated shortly before the 
officer or agent arrives at the scene.
(2) Undercover.--An officer or agent working in an 
undercover assignment is not required to wear a body-worn 
camera.
(3) Notification.--An officer or agent wearing a body-worn 
camera shall notify all subjects of the recording that they are 
being recorded as close to the commencement of the encounter as 
is reasonably possible.
(d) Permissible Deactivation; Civilian Request.--
(1) Deactivation.--An immigration enforcement officer or 
agent may deactivate a body-worn camera--
(A) while working on an unrelated assignment or 
during a prolonged break in an incident; or
(B) during administrative, tactical, or management 
discussions when members of the public are not present.
(2) Civilian request.--Before entering a private residence 
without a warrant, or when interacting with an apparent crime 
victim or anonymous source, an officer shall ask if the 
individual wants the camera to be deactivated. If the 
individual responds affirmatively, the officer shall deactivate 
the camera. The offer to deactivate and the response from the 
victim or source shall be recorded by the camera before such 
deactivation.
(e) Failure To Activate or Tampering.--
(1) In general.--If an officer or agent fails to activate a 
body-worn camera in accordance with the requirements under this 
section or tampers with camera footage when activation is 
required--
(A) there shall be a permissive inference, in any 
investigation or legal proceeding (excluding criminal 
proceedings against the officer or agent), that the 
missing footage would have reflected misconduct;
(B) any statements or conduct that was not recorded 
by other means shall be subject to a rebuttable 
presumption of inadmissibility; and
(C) a rebuttable evidentiary presumption shall be 
adopted in favor of criminal defendants or civil 
plaintiffs who reasonably assert that exculpatory 
evidence was destroyed or not captured.
(2) Proof compliance was impossible.--The disciplinary 
action requirement and rebuttable presumptions described in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) may be overcome by 
contrary evidence or proof of exigent circumstances that made 
compliance impossible.
(f) Discipline; Certification Consequences.--In addition to any 
criminal liability--
(1) if an adjudicative body or final agency determination 
finds that an officer or agent intentionally failed to activate 
or tampered with a camera (except as permitted under this 
section), the employing agency shall impose discipline upon the 
officer or agent, up to and including termination, consistent 
with applicable law;
(2) unless otherwise permitted under this section, if the 
conduct of the officer or agent was undertaken with the intent 
to conceal unlawful or inappropriate actions or obstruct 
justice, the officer's or agent's certification or authority to 
perform enforcement duties shall be suspended for not less than 
1 year, subject to reinstatement only upon exoneration; and
(3) if such conduct occurred in an incident resulting in 
the death or serious bodily injury of a civilian, the officer's 
or agent's certification or authority to perform enforcement 
duties shall be permanently revoked, subject to reinstatement 
only upon exoneration.
(g) Integrity of Reports.--No officer or agent may review or 
receive an accounting of any body-worn camera footage related to a use 
of force or misconduct complaint before completing all required initial 
reports, statements, and interviews regarding the recorded event.
(h) Retention of Recordings.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall establish a retention schedule for body-worn camera recordings 
that requires--
(1) standard footage to be retained for a period of not 
less than 6 months; and
(2) footage involving the use of force or a complaint to be 
retained for a period of not less than 3 years.
(i) Public Release; Privacy Protections.--
(1) Misconduct.--Not later than 21 days after receiving a 
complaint alleging misconduct by an immigration enforcement 
officer or agent, the Department of Homeland Security shall 
release all unedited audio and video recordings of the incident 
to the public, subject to privacy protections and delayed 
release provisions under subsection (j).
(2) Death or serious injury.--Not later than 5 days after 
an immigration enforcement incident resulting in death or 
serious injury, the Department of Homeland Security shall 
release all unedited audio and video recordings of the incident 
to the public, subject to privacy protections and delayed 
release provisions under subsection (j).
(3) Prohibition on secondary use during retention period.--
During any retention period established under this subsection, 
body-worn camera footage shall be stored in an isolated system 
that is not accessible to, and may not be queried by, any 
immigration enforcement targeting system, fusion center, or 
interagency intelligence platform. Access to retained footage 
shall be limited to personnel directly involved in 
accountability review or legal proceedings arising from the 
recorded interaction.
(j) Privacy Protections and Delayed Release.--
(1) Death.--Recordings depicting death shall be made 
available to a victim's immediate family or lawful 
representative before being publicly released.
(2) Privacy interests.--
(A) In general.--Recordings implicating substantial 
privacy interests may be blurred to protect such 
interests without removing any portion of the 
recording.
(B) Limited release.--If blurring a recording is 
insufficient--
(i) the recording shall be released to 
affected individuals or their lawful 
representatives; and
(ii) the Department of Homeland Security 
shall notify affected persons of their right to 
waive the restrictions under this subsection.
(3) Investigations.--A recording of alleged misconduct may 
be temporarily withheld if the release of such recording would 
substantially interfere with an ongoing investigation. Such 
recording shall be publicly released not later than 45 days 
after the allegation of misconduct, accompanied by a written 
justification for the delay.

SEC. 7. SPECIALIZED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall require all immigration 
enforcement officers and agents to complete specialized training, in 
addition to basic training required by the Department, before 
conducting enforcement operations, including training on--
(1) identity verification procedures and documentation 
review designed to prevent the wrongful detention of United 
States citizens, lawful permanent residents, Native Americans, 
and other individuals who are lawfully present in the United 
States;
(2) deescalation techniques and safe civilian engagement 
practices to ensure immigration enforcement operations are 
conducted in a manner that protects public safety and reduces 
the risk of unnecessary force;
(3) language access and interpretation procedures to ensure 
effective communication during enforcement encounters with 
individuals who have limited English proficiency;
(4) recognizing medical distress, disabilities, and mental 
health conditions, and responding appropriately during 
enforcement encounters to individuals experiencing medical 
emergencies or requiring disability-related accommodations;
(5) constitutional protections and civil rights laws 
governing immigration enforcement activities, including 
protections against unlawful searches, seizures, and 
discriminatory enforcement; and
(6) preventing discriminatory enforcement practices, 
including profiling based on race, ethnicity, national origin, 
religion, or language proficiency.
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