H.R. 7449: Protecting License-plate Access for Transparency and Enforcement Act

This bill, titled the "Protecting License-plate Access for Transparency and Enforcement Act" or the "PLATE Act," aims to impose certain requirements on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the use of vehicles for immigration enforcement activities. Specifically, it seeks to limit the use of federal funding by these agencies for the purchase, lease, or rental of vehicles intended for their civil immigration enforcement operations.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Vehicle Visibility Requirement: The bill mandates that any vehicles operated by ICE or CBP, which are funded by federal money, must have their license plates displayed on the exterior in a way that is visible to the public at all times. This is intended to promote transparency in the activities of these enforcement agencies.
• Scope of Funds: The limitation on the use of federal funds applies specifically to vehicles utilized for civil immigration enforcement as defined under U.S. immigration laws. This provides a clear guideline for what types of activities and expenditures are impacted by this legislation.

Implications

The implications of this bill include a potential increase in the public's awareness of immigration enforcement activities, as the visibility of license plates might allow communities to better identify and respond to the presence of enforcement vehicles. Additionally, the requirement may necessitate changes in operational protocols for ICE and CBP, which could influence how these agencies conduct their enforcement actions.

Enforcement and Compliance

Should the bill be enacted, ICE and CBP would need to make adjustments to comply with the mandate regarding license plate visibility. This might involve implementing new training, operational procedures, or even budgeting for the associated costs of this transparency measure.

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