H.R. 7172: Transparency Requirements for Aircraft Carriers to Know Immigration Conduct and Enforcement Act

This bill, known as the Transparency Requirements for Aircraft Carriers to Know Immigration Conduct and Enforcement Act (or TRACK ICE Act), primarily aims to establish greater transparency regarding aircraft operations conducted by U.S. government agencies related to immigration enforcement.

Key Provisions

1. Limitation on Privacy Programs

The bill proposes amendments to existing federal aviation regulations, specifically stating that:

• A private aircraft owner or operator cannot withhold information under current privacy programs for any aircraft operation that is:
• Operated by or on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• Used for detention, deportation, or transporting individuals under the custody of the Department of Homeland Security in relation to immigration law enforcement.
• Receiving federal funding or assistance related to these operations.

2. Transparency of Flight Data

This section of the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish specific flight data related to aircraft operations undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE and CBP, as follows:

• The publication must occur within 72 hours after the operation.
• The required flight data includes:
• Date and time of departure from the origin airport.
• Date and time of arrival at the destination airport.
• ICAO code for both the departure and arrival airports.
• ICE Air mission designation.
• Aircraft registration number and ICAO aircraft identification code.
• Number of detainees who boarded and deplaned at each location.
• Demographic data for each detainee transported, which includes:
• Nationality
• Sex
• Age category (grouped into specified ranges)
• Family composition category (such as single adult, unaccompanied child, or family unit)
• Details on any restraints used during the flight (like handcuffs or shackles).

Overall Impact

The intended effect of this legislation is to increase public access to information on how and when individuals are transported by immigration enforcement agencies, potentially enhancing oversight and accountability regarding these operations.

Relevant Companies

• None found