Find Our Families Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
- Committees
- Homeland Security Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 7, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to significantly increase transparency and accountability for individuals in CBP and ICE custody by centralizing and standardizing public access to detainee information, medical transfer notifications, and arrest data.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish and maintain an online detainee locator system for individuals in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, ensuring public accessibility and multilingual support. It requires timely updates on detention, transfers, and medical care, excluding information for minors. Additionally, the bill imposes new public reporting requirements for CBP arrest data and quarterly reports on enforcement operations, alongside penalties for non-compliance by agency employees and contractors.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill is crucial for upholding human rights, facilitating family reunification, and ensuring due process for individuals in immigration detention. They contend that increased transparency and robust accountability mechanisms will prevent individuals from disappearing into the system, provide timely information to families and legal representatives, and improve oversight of CBP and ICE operations.
Opponents contend
Opponents may argue that the bill imposes significant administrative burdens and costs on DHS agencies, potentially diverting resources from essential enforcement operations. Concerns could also be raised about data security, the potential for misuse of publicly available information, and the practical challenges of maintaining real-time, accurate data across a vast and dynamic detention system, especially with strict penalties for non-compliance.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a thorough review within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2, subsections (a) through (d)
Establishment of Online Detainee Locator System
This provision requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create and maintain a publicly accessible online system to locate individuals held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The system must be available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and other top-spoken languages, and allow searches by alien registration number, name, or country/date of birth. Key information like name, date of birth, country of birth, custody date/time, and facility location must be updated within 8 hours of detention or transfer, with minors' information explicitly excluded. Data is retained for 60 days post-release or removal.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is essential for human rights, providing critical transparency to a system often criticized for its opacity. It facilitates family reunification and ensures legal representatives can effectively assist their clients, reducing distress and upholding due process.
Critics contend
Critics may contend that developing and maintaining such a comprehensive, real-time, multilingual system poses a significant administrative and technical challenge for DHS, potentially diverting resources from core enforcement missions and raising concerns about data accuracy and security.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the critical need for transparency and family access to information with the operational complexities and resource demands placed on federal agencies responsible for managing a large and dynamic detainee population.
Section 2, subsections (e) and (f)
Compliance Reporting and Penalties for Non-Compliance
This section establishes mechanisms to ensure the accuracy and compliance of the online detainee locator system. It requires DHS to provide a secure online form for family members or legal representatives to report missing, incorrect, or outdated information, with DHS mandated to acknowledge and resolve such reports within one week. Furthermore, it introduces penalties for employees who fail to comply with the system's requirements, including furlough, pay/grade reduction, or suspension, and mandates referral of such investigations to the DHS Inspector General. It also prohibits the renewal of contracts for facilities or contractors that fail to provide timely or accurate data.
Section 3
Detainee Medical Care Transfer Reporting Requirements
This section mandates that if an individual in CBP or ICE custody is transferred for medical attention, the Secretary of Homeland Security must notify a family member and any legal representative within 5 hours of the transfer's initiation. The notification must include the name, address, and phone number of the medical facility, contact information for the overseeing CBP/ICE office, the date and time of arrival, the reason for the transfer (symptoms/condition), and any available medical status or diagnosis from providers. Importantly, family members or legal representatives cannot be denied or obstructed from visiting the individual unless the individual affirmatively declines the visit.
Section 4, subsections (a) and (b)
Public Reporting of CBP Arrest Data
This provision requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to make specific information about individuals arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) publicly accessible on the Department of Homeland Security website. The required data includes the location and date of apprehension, method of apprehension, whether an administrative or judicial warrant was present, country of birth, the facility location following arrest, and the individual's citizenship. Similar to the detainee locator system, it establishes a publicly accessible online form for reporting missing or incorrect information, with DHS mandated to acknowledge and resolve such reports within one week.
Section 4, subsection (c)
Quarterly Report on CBP Enforcement Operations
This provision requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a detailed report every 90 days to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees regarding ongoing or recently active CBP enforcement operations. Each report must include comprehensive information such as the number and type of agents involved (CBP and non-CBP), the operation's location and justification, the number of arrests made (distinguishing between warranted, warrantless, and protest-related arrests), the citizenship of those arrested, the monetary costs incurred, and any contracts with public or private entities involved in the operation.
Requires the online detainee locator system to be available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and any other language determined by the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to be among the 10 most spoken first-languages based on CBP data from the preceding fiscal year, as well as any other language necessary under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Section 2(b)(2)(D) and (E)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to include detailed operational requirements within broader mandates, ensuring comprehensive coverage without making the primary legislative intent overly verbose.
Case for: Supporters argue that these dynamic language requirements are crucial for ensuring equitable access to information for all individuals and their families, regardless of their first language, thereby upholding civil rights principles and maximizing the system's utility.
Case against: Critics might contend that the dynamic nature of the 'top 10' languages, requiring annual reassessment and translation updates, could create a significant and ongoing administrative burden for DHS, potentially straining resources and leading to delays in implementation or updates.
Estimated impact: This provision will lead to significant operational and translation costs for DHS, but will greatly improve accessibility for a diverse population of non-English speaking detainees and their families.
Specifies that employees failing to comply with the detainee locator system requirements may be furloughed, have their pay or grade reduced, or be suspended for up to 30 days, pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 5, United States Code. It also mandates referral of such investigations to the DHS Inspector General for further investigation.
Section 2(f)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to reference existing legal frameworks for federal personnel actions rather than re-stating them in full. The IG referral is a specific procedural detail for accountability.
Case for: Supporters argue that these specific disciplinary actions and the mandatory Inspector General referral provide clear, robust accountability mechanisms, ensuring that non-compliance with the critical detainee locator system is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Case against: Critics might argue that the specific disciplinary actions and automatic IG referral could create a chilling effect among employees, potentially leading to disproportionate punishment for minor infractions or administrative errors, and could impact agency morale.
Estimated impact: This provision will lead to increased oversight and potential disciplinary actions within CBP/ICE, aiming to ensure rigorous adherence to data entry and reporting protocols for the detainee locator system.