View all text of Part A [§ 201 - § 205]
§ 205. Ombudsman for immigration detention
(a) In general
(b) Functions
The functions of the Ombudsman shall be to—
(1) Establish and administer an independent, neutral, and confidential process to receive, investigate, resolve, and provide redress, including referral for investigation to the Office of the Inspector General, referral to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for immigration relief, or any other action determined appropriate, for cases in which Department officers or other personnel, or contracted, subcontracted, or cooperating entity personnel, are found to have engaged in misconduct or violated the rights of individuals in immigration detention;
(2) Establish an accessible and standardized process regarding complaints against any officer or employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or any contracted, subcontracted, or cooperating entity personnel, for violations of law, standards of professional conduct, contract terms, or policy related to immigration detention;
(3) Conduct unannounced inspections of detention facilities holding individuals in federal immigration custody, including those owned or operated by units of State or local government and privately-owned or operated facilities;
(4) Review, examine, and make recommendations to address concerns or violations of contract terms identified in reviews, audits, investigations, or detainee interviews regarding immigration detention facilities and services;
(5) Provide assistance to individuals affected by potential misconduct, excessive force, or violations of law or detention standards by Department of Homeland Security officers or other personnel, or contracted, subcontracted, or cooperating entity personnel; and
(6) Ensure that the functions performed by the Ombudsman are complementary to existing functions within the Department of Homeland Security.
(c) Access to detention facilities
(d) Coordination with department components
(1) In general
(2) Access to information
(e) Annual report
(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 405, as added Pub. L. 116–93, div. D, title I, § 106(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2504.)