6 USC 236 - Visa issuance

Collapse to view only § 236. Visa issuance

§ 231. Transfer of certain agricultural inspection functions of the Department of Agriculture
§ 232. Functions of Administrator of General Services
§ 233. Functions of Transportation Security Administration
§ 234. Preservation of Transportation Security Administration as a distinct entity
§ 235. Coordination of information and information technology
§ 236. Visa issuance
§ 237. Information on visa denials required to be entered into electronic data system
§ 238. Office for Domestic Preparedness
§ 239. Office of Cargo Security Policy
§ 240. Border Enforcement Security Task Force
§ 241. Prevention of international child abduction
§ 242. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign
§ 242a. Department of Homeland Security Center for Countering Human Trafficking
§ 242b. Reports
§ 243. Maritime operations coordination plan
§ 244. Maritime security capabilities assessments
§ 245. Operational data sharing capability

§ 231. Transfer of certain agricultural inspection functions of the Department of Agriculture

(a) Transfer of agricultural import and entry inspection functions

(b) Covered animal and plant protection laws

The laws referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1) The Act commonly known as the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (the eighth paragraph under the span “Bureau of Animal Industry” in the Act of March 4, 1913; 21 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

(2)Section 1 of the Act of August 31, 1922 (commonly known as the Honeybee Act; 7 U.S.C. 281).

(3) Title III of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 1581 et seq.).

(4) The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).

(5) The Animal Health Protection Act (subtitle E of title X of Public Law 107–171; 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.).

(6) The Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.).

(7) Section 11 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1540).

(d) Effect of transfer

(1) Compliance with Department of Agriculture regulations

(2) Rulemaking coordination

(3) Effective administration

(e) Transfer agreement

(1) Agreement required; revision

(2) Required terms

The agreement required by this subsection shall specifically address the following:

(A) The supervision by the Secretary of Agriculture of the training of employees of the Secretary to carry out the functions transferred pursuant to subsection (a).

(B) The transfer of funds to the Secretary under subsection (f).

(3) Cooperation and reciprocity

The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary may include as part of the agreement the following:

(A) Authority for the Secretary to perform functions delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture regarding the protection of domestic livestock and plants, but not transferred to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a).

(B) Authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to use employees of the Department of Homeland Security to carry out authorities delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regarding the protection of domestic livestock and plants.

(f) Periodic transfer of funds to Department of Homeland Security

(1) Transfer of funds

(2) Limitation

(g) Transfer of Department of Agriculture employees

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 421, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2182.)

§ 232. Functions of Administrator of General Services

(a) Operation, maintenance, and protection of Federal buildings and grounds

(b) Collection of rents and fees; Federal Buildings Fund

(1) Statutory construction

Nothing in this chapter may be construed—

(A) to direct the transfer of, or affect, the authority of the Administrator of General Services to collect rents and fees, including fees collected for protective services; or

(B) to authorize the Secretary or any other official in the Department to obligate amounts in the Federal Buildings Fund established by section 592 of title 40.

(2) Use of transferred amounts

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 422, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2184.)

§ 233. Functions of Transportation Security Administration

(a) Consultation with Federal Aviation Administration

(b) Report to Congress

(1) Grant of authority

(2) Obligation of AIP funds

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 423, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2185.)

§ 234. Preservation of Transportation Security Administration as a distinct entity

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Transportation Security Administration shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the Department.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 424, as added Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(g)(1)(B)(iv)(I), Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 212.)

§ 235. Coordination of information and information technology

(a) Definition of affected agency

In this section, the term “affected agency” means—

(1) the Department;

(2) the Department of Agriculture;

(3) the Department of Health and Human Services; and

(4) any other department or agency determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.

(b) Coordination

Not later than 18 months after November 25, 2002, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the head of each other department or agency determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, shall submit to Congress—

(1) a report on the progress made in implementing this section; and

(2) a plan to complete implementation of this section.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 427, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2187.)

§ 236. Visa issuance

(a) Definition

(b) In general

Notwithstanding section 104(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1104(a)) or any other provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary—

(1) shall be vested exclusively with all authorities to issue regulations with respect to, administer, and enforce the provisions of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.], and of all other immigration and nationality laws, relating to the functions of consular officers of the United States in connection with the granting or refusal of visas, and shall have the authority to refuse visas in accordance with law and to develop programs of homeland security training for consular officers (in addition to consular training provided by the Secretary of State), which authorities shall be exercised through the Secretary of State, except that the Secretary shall not have authority to alter or reverse the decision of a consular officer to refuse a visa to an alien; and

(2) shall have authority to confer or impose upon any officer or employee of the United States, with the consent of the head of the executive agency under whose jurisdiction such officer or employee is serving, any of the functions specified in paragraph (1).

(1) In general

(2) Construction regarding authority

Nothing in this section, consistent with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority to refuse visas in accordance with law, shall be construed as affecting the authorities of the Secretary of State under the following provisions of law:

(A) Section 101(a)(15)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(A)).

(B) Section 204(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) (as it will take effect upon the entry into force of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to Inter-Country adoption).

(D) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VI)).

(E) Section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II)).

(F) Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(C)).

(G) Section 212(a)(10)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(10)(C)).

(H) Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).

(I) Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)).

(J) Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(4)(C)).

(K) Section 401 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 [22 U.S.C. 6091].

(L) Section 613 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 3

3 See References in Text note below.

(as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105–277) (Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999); 112 Stat. 2681; H.R. 4328 (originally H.R. 4276) as amended by section 617 of Public Law 106–553.

(M) Section 103(f) of the Chemical Weapon Convention Implementation Act of 1998 [22 U.S.C. 6713(f)] (112 Stat. 2681–865).

(N) Section 801 of H.R. 3427, the Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 [8 U.S.C. 1182e], as enacted by reference in Public Law 106–113.

(O) Section 568 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–115).

(P) Section 51 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2723).

(d) Consular officers and chiefs of missions

(1) In general

Nothing in this section may be construed to alter or affect—

(A) the employment status of consular officers as employees of the Department of State; or

(B) the authority of a chief of mission under section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3927).

(2) Construction regarding delegation of authority

(e) Assignment of Homeland Security employees to diplomatic and consular posts

(1) In general

(2) Functions

Employees assigned under paragraph (1) shall perform the following functions:

(A) Provide expert advice and training to consular officers regarding specific security threats relating to the adjudication of individual visa applications or classes of applications.

(B) Review any such applications, either on the initiative of the employee of the Department or upon request by a consular officer or other person charged with adjudicating such applications.

(3) Evaluation of consular officers

(4) Report

(5) Permanent assignment; participation in terrorist lookout committee

(6) Training and hiring

(A) In general

(B) Use of Center

(7) Report

Not later than 1 year after November 25, 2002, the Secretary and the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress—

(A) a report on the implementation of this subsection; and

(B) any legislative proposals necessary to further the objectives of this subsection.

(8) Effective date

This subsection shall take effect on the earlier of—

(A) the date on which the President publishes notice in the Federal Register that the President has submitted a report to Congress setting forth a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the Secretary of State governing the implementation of this section; or

(B) the date occurring 1 year after November 25, 2002.

(f) No creation of private right of action

(g) Study regarding use of foreign nationals

(1) In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study of the role of foreign nationals in the granting or refusal of visas and other documents authorizing entry of aliens into the United States. The study shall address the following:

(A) The proper role, if any, of foreign nationals in the process of rendering decisions on such grants and refusals.

(B) Any security concerns involving the employment of foreign nationals.

(2) Report

(h) Report

(i) Visa issuance program for Saudi Arabia

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 428, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2187.)

§ 237. Information on visa denials required to be entered into electronic data system

(a) In general

(b) Prohibition

In the case of any alien with respect to whom a visa has been denied under subsection (a)—

(1) no subsequent visa may be issued to the alien unless the consular officer considering the alien’s visa application has reviewed the information concerning the alien placed in the interoperable electronic data system, has indicated on the alien’s application that the information has been reviewed, and has stated for the record why the visa is being issued or a waiver of visa ineligibility recommended in spite of that information; and

(2) the alien may not be admitted to the United States without a visa issued in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 429, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2191.)

§ 238. Office for Domestic Preparedness

(a) Establishment

(b) Director

The Office for Domestic Preparedness shall have the primary responsibility within the executive branch of Government for the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, including—

(1) coordinating preparedness efforts at the Federal level, and working with all State, local, tribal, parish, and private sector emergency response providers on all matters pertaining to combating terrorism, including training, exercises, and equipment support;

(2) coordinating or, as appropriate, consolidating communications and systems of communications relating to homeland security at all levels of government;

(3) directing and supervising terrorism preparedness grant programs of the Federal Government (other than those programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services) for all emergency response providers;

(4) incorporating the Strategy priorities into planning guidance on an agency level for the preparedness efforts of the Office for Domestic Preparedness;

(5) providing agency-specific training for agents and analysts within the Department, other agencies, and State and local agencies and international entities;

(6) as the lead executive branch agency for preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, cooperating closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which shall have the primary responsibility within the executive branch to prepare for and mitigate the effects of nonterrorist-related disasters in the United States;

(7) assisting and supporting the Secretary, in coordination with other Directorates and entities outside the Department, in conducting appropriate risk analysis and risk management activities of State, local, and tribal governments consistent with the mission and functions of the Department;

(8) those elements of the Office of National Preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency which relate to terrorism, which shall be consolidated within the Department in the Office for Domestic Preparedness established under this section; and

(9) helping to ensure the acquisition of interoperable communication technology by State and local governments and emergency response providers.

(d) Fiscal years 2003 and 2004

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 430, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2191; Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, § 7303(h)(2), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3847; Pub. L. 112–166, § 2(f)(1), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1284; Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(g)(1)(B)(iv)(II), Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 212.)

§ 239. Office of Cargo Security Policy

(a) Establishment

(b) Purpose

The Office shall—

(1) coordinate all Department policies relating to cargo security; and

(2) consult with stakeholders and coordinate with other Federal agencies in the establishment of standards and regulations and to promote best practices.

(1) Appointment

The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall—

(A) be appointed by the Secretary; and

(B) report to the Assistant Secretary for Policy.

(2) Responsibilities

The Director shall—

(A) advise the Assistant Secretary for Policy in the development of Department-wide policies regarding cargo security;

(B) coordinate all policies relating to cargo security among the agencies and offices within the Department relating to cargo security; and

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 431, as added Pub. L. 109–347, title III, § 301(a), Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1920.)

§ 240. Border Enforcement Security Task Force

(a) Establishment

(b) Purpose

The purpose of BEST is to establish units to enhance border security by addressing and reducing border security threats and violence by—

(1) facilitating collaboration among Federal, State, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security, and homeland security; and

(2) enhancing information-sharing, including the dissemination of homeland security information among such agencies.

(1) Composition

(A) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement;

(B) U.S. Customs and Border Protection;

(D) other Department personnel, as appropriate 1

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a semicolon.

(E) other Federal agencies, as appropriate;

(F) appropriate State law enforcement agencies;

(G) foreign law enforcement agencies, as appropriate;

(H) local law enforcement agencies from affected border cities and communities; and

(I) appropriate tribal law enforcement agencies.

(2) Establishment of units

The Secretary is authorized to establish BEST units in jurisdictions in which such units can contribute to BEST missions, as appropriate. Before establishing a BEST unit, the Secretary shall consider—

(A) whether the area in which the BEST unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats;

(B) the availability of Federal, State, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the BEST unit;

(C) the extent to which border security threats are having a significant harmful impact in the jurisdiction in which the BEST unit is to be established, and other jurisdictions in the country; and

(D) whether or not an Integrated Border Enforcement Team already exists in the area in which the BEST unit would be established.

(3) Duplication of efforts

(d) Operation

After determining the jurisdictions in which to establish BEST units under subsection (c)(2), and in order to provide Federal assistance to such jurisdictions, the Secretary may—

(1) direct the assignment of Federal personnel to BEST, subject to the approval of the head of the department or agency that employs such personnel; and

(2) take other actions to assist Federal, State, local, and tribal entities to participate in BEST, including providing financial assistance, as appropriate, for operational, administrative, salary reimbursement, and technological costs associated with the participation of Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in BEST.

(e) Report

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 432, as added Pub. L. 112–205, § 3(a), Dec. 7, 2012, 126 Stat. 1488; amended Pub. L. 117–159, div. A, title II, § 12004(j), June 25, 2022, 136 Stat. 1332.)

§ 241. Prevention of international child abduction

(a) Program established

The Secretary, through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (referred to in this section as “CBP”), in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall establish a program that—

(1) seeks to prevent a child (as defined in section 1204(b)(1) of title 18) from departing from the territory of the United States if a parent or legal guardian of such child presents a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the removal of such child from the United States to a CBP Officer in sufficient time to prevent such departure for the duration of such court order; and

(2) leverages other existing authorities and processes to address the wrongful removal and return of a child.

(b) Interagency coordination

(1) In general

The Secretary of State shall convene and chair an interagency working group to prevent international parental child abduction. The group shall be composed of presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed officials from—

(A) the Department of State;

(B) the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and

(2) Department of Defense

The Secretary of Defense shall designate an official within the Department of Defense—

(A) to coordinate with the Department of State on international child abduction issues; and

(B) to oversee activities designed to prevent or resolve international child abduction cases relating to active duty military service members.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 433, as added Pub. L. 113–150, title III, § 301(a), Aug. 8, 2014, 128 Stat. 1822.)

§ 242. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign

(a) Definition

(b) Establishment

(d) ResponsibilitiesThe Secretary, working through the Director, shall, in accordance with subsection (e)—

(1) issue Department-wide guidance to appropriate Department personnel;

(2) develop training programs for such personnel;

(3) coordinate departmental efforts, including training for such personnel; and

(4) provide guidance and training on trauma-informed practices to ensure that human trafficking victims are afforded prompt access to victim support service providers, in addition to the assistance required under section 7105 of title 22, to address their immediate and long-term needs.

(e) Guidance and trainingThe Blue Campaign shall provide guidance and training to Department personnel and other Federal, State, tribal, and law enforcement personnel, as appropriate, regarding—

(1) programs to help identify instances of human trafficking;

(2) the types of information that should be collected and recorded in information technology systems utilized by the Department to help identify individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking;

(3) systematic and routine information sharing within the Department and among Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies regarding—

(A) individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking; and

(B) patterns and practices of human trafficking;

(4) techniques to identify suspected victims of trafficking along the United States border and at airport security checkpoints;

(5) methods to be used by the Transportation Security Administration and personnel from other appropriate agencies to—

(A) train employees of the Transportation Security Administration to identify suspected victims of trafficking; and

(B) serve as a liaison and resource regarding human trafficking prevention to appropriate State, local, and private sector aviation workers and the traveling public;

(6) developing and utilizing, in consultation with the Blue Campaign Advisory Board established pursuant to subsection (g), resources such as indicator cards, fact sheets, pamphlets, posters, brochures, and radio and television campaigns to—

(A) educate partners and stakeholders; and

(B) increase public awareness of human trafficking;

(7) leveraging partnerships with State and local governmental, nongovernmental, and private sector organizations to raise public awareness of human trafficking; and

(8) any other activities the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the Blue Campaign.

(f) Web-based training programsTo enhance training opportunities, the Director of the Blue Campaign shall develop web-based interactive training videos that utilize a learning management system to provide online training opportunities. During the 10-year period beginning on the date that is 90 days after December 27, 2021, such training opportunities shall be made available to the following individuals:

(1) Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement officers.

(2) Non-Federal correction system personnel.

(3) Such other individuals as the Director determines appropriate.

(g) Blue Campaign Advisory Board

(1) In generalThere is established in the Department a Blue Campaign Advisory Board, which shall be comprised of representatives assigned by the Secretary from—

(A) the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department;

(B) the Privacy Office of the Department; and

(2) CharterThe Secretary is authorized to issue a charter for the Blue Campaign Advisory Board, and such charter shall specify the following:

(A) The Board’s mission, goals, and scope of its activities.

(B) The duties of the Board’s representatives.

(3) ConsultationThe Director shall consult the Blue Campaign Advisory Board and, as appropriate, experts from other components and offices of the Center for Countering Human Trafficking of the Department regarding the following:

(A) Recruitment tactics used by human traffickers to inform the development of training and materials by the Blue Campaign.

(B) The development of effective awareness tools for distribution to Federal and non-Federal officials to identify and prevent instances of human trafficking.

(C) Identification of additional persons or entities that may be uniquely positioned to recognize signs of human trafficking and the development of materials for such persons.

(h) Consultation

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 434, as added Pub. L. 115–125, § 2(a), Feb. 14, 2018, 132 Stat. 315; amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. F, title LXIV, § 6407, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2403.)

§ 242a. Department of Homeland Security Center for Countering Human Trafficking

(a) Establishment

(1) In general

(2) Purpose

(3) AdministrationHomeland Security Investigations shall—

(A) maintain a concept of operations that identifies CCHT participants, funding, core functions, and personnel; and

(B) update such concept of operations, as needed, to accommodate its mission and the threats to such mission.

(4) Personnel

(A) DirectorThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint a CCHT Director, who shall—

(i) be a member of the Senior Executive Service; and

(ii) serve as the Department of Homeland Security’s representative on human trafficking.

(B) Minimum core personnel requirementsSubject to appropriations, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that CCHT is staffed with at least 45 employees in order to maintain continuity of effort, subject matter expertise, and necessary support to the Department of Homeland Security, including—

(i) employees who are responsible for the Continued Presence Program and other victim protection duties;

(ii) employees who are responsible for training, including curriculum development, and public awareness and education;

(iii) employees who are responsible for stakeholder engagement, Federal interagency coordination, multilateral partnerships, and policy;

(iv) employees who are responsible for public relations, human resources, evaluation, data analysis and reporting, and information technology;

(v) special agents and criminal analysts necessary to accomplish its mission of combating human trafficking and the importation of goods produced with forced labor; and

(vi) managers.

(b) Operations UnitThe CCHT Director shall operate, within CCHT, an Operations Unit, which shall, at a minimum—

(1) support criminal investigations of human trafficking (including sex trafficking and forced labor)—

(A) by developing, tracking, and coordinating leads; and

(B) by providing subject matter expertise;

(2) augment the enforcement of the prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor through civil and criminal authorities;

(3) coordinate a Department-wide effort to conduct procurement audits and enforcement actions, including suspension and debarment, in order to mitigate the risk of human trafficking throughout Department acquisitions and contracts; and

(4) support all CCHT enforcement efforts with intelligence by conducting lead development, lead validation, case support, strategic analysis, and data analytics.

(c) Protection and Awareness Programs UnitThe CCHT Director shall operate, within CCHT, a Protection and Awareness Programs Unit, which shall—

(1) incorporate a victim-centered approach throughout Department of Homeland Security policies, training, and practices;

(2) operate a comprehensive Continued Presence program;

(3) conduct, review, and assist with Department of Homeland Security human trafficking training, screening, and identification tools and efforts;

(4) operate the Blue Campaign’s nationwide public awareness effort and any other awareness efforts needed to encourage victim identification and reporting to law enforcement and to prevent human trafficking; and

(5) coordinate external engagement, including training and events, regarding human trafficking with critical partners, including survivors, nongovernmental organizations, corporations, multilateral entities, law enforcement agencies, and other interested parties.

(Pub. L. 117–322, § 3, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4433.)

§ 242b. Reports

(a) Information sharing to facilitate reports and analysis

Each subagency of the Department of Homeland Security shall share with CCHT—

(1) any information needed by CCHT to develop the strategy and proposal required under section 4(a);1

1 See References in Text note below.

and

(2) any additional data analysis to help CCHT better understand the issues surrounding human trafficking.

(b) Report to Congress

Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to Congress that includes—

(1) the numbers of screened and identified potential victims of trafficking (as defined in section 7102(17) of title 22) at or near the international border between the United States and Mexico, including a summary of the age ranges of such victims and their countries of origin; and

(2) an update on the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to establish protocols and methods for personnel to report human trafficking, pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor, and Child Sexual Exploitation, published in January 2020.

(Pub. L. 117–322, § 5, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4435.)

§ 243. Maritime operations coordination plan

(a) In general

Not later than 180 days after October 5, 2018, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall—

(1) update the Maritime Operations Coordination Plan, published by the Department on July 7, 2011, to strengthen coordination, planning, information sharing, and intelligence integration for maritime operations of components and offices of the Department with responsibility for maritime security missions; and

(2) submit each update to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.

(b) Contents

Each update shall address the following:

(1) Coordinating the planning, integration of maritime operations, and development of joint maritime domain awareness efforts of any component or office of the Department with responsibility for maritime security missions.

(2) Maintaining effective information sharing and, as appropriate, intelligence integration, with Federal, State, and local officials and the private sector, regarding threats to maritime security.

(3) Cooperating and coordinating with Federal departments and agencies, and State and local agencies, in the maritime environment, in support of maritime security missions.

(4) Highlighting the work completed within the context of other national and Department maritime security strategic guidance and how that work fits with the Maritime Operations Coordination Plan.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 435, as added Pub. L. 115–254, div. J, § 1807(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3536.)

§ 244. Maritime security capabilities assessments

Not later than 180 days after October 5, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, an assessment of the number and type of maritime assets and the number of personnel required to increase the Department’s maritime response rate pursuant to section 223 of this title.

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 436, as added Pub. L. 115–254, div. J, § 1811(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3538.)

§ 245. Operational data sharing capability

(a) In general

(b) Priority

(d) Elements

The Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection and the Commandant shall jointly—

(1) assess and delineate the types of data and quality of data sharing needed to meet the respective operational missions of Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, including video surveillance, seismic sensors, infrared detection, space-based remote sensing, and any other data or information necessary;

(2) develop appropriate requirements and processes for the credentialing of personnel of Customs and Border Protection and personnel of the Coast Guard to access and use the capability established under subsection (a); and

(3) establish a cost-sharing agreement for the long-term operation and maintenance of the capability and the assets that provide data to the capability.

(e) Report

(f) Rule of construction

(Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXII, § 11264, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4062.)