FOCUS Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3699Immigration

FOCUS Act

INTRO JAN 27· LAST ACTION JAN 27

READING

7MIN

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

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Reported

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to increase transparency and accountability in federal immigration enforcement, an area that often generates significant public debate. If this bill becomes law, interactions between federal officers and the public during immigration enforcement activities would be recorded, potentially reducing disputes over what happened during an encounter and providing objective evidence for investigations into alleged misconduct.

Currently, body camera usage varies among federal agencies, and many immigration enforcement officers do not consistently wear them. The FOCUS Act would establish a consistent, mandatory standard. If it doesn't become law, the current patchwork of policies would likely continue, leaving potential gaps in accountability and less clarity for both officers and the public during sensitive immigration-related events. This bill directly addresses public concerns about oversight and the behavior of law enforcement, providing a mechanism for recording interactions at the border and within the country.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

Requires all federal law enforcement officers engaged in immigration enforcement to wear and operate body cameras while on duty.

This establishes a mandatory, consistent standard for body camera use across federal immigration enforcement, promoting transparency.

PROVISION 02

Sets rules for how long body camera footage must be kept, generally for one year, but longer for critical events or if requested by specific parties.

This ensures important evidence is retained for a sufficient period while allowing for the deletion of less critical footage to manage storage.

PROVISION 03

Allows the public to request body camera footage of interactions or events, subject to government records procedures.

This provides a mechanism for public access to recordings, fostering external accountability and oversight of immigration enforcement activities.

PROVISION 04

Mandates specific technical requirements for body cameras, including automatic activation, GPS tracking, and secure wireless upload.

These features aim to ensure cameras are reliable, used consistently, and provide useful data for context and evidence.

PROVISION 05

Establishes administrative discipline for officers who fail to comply and potential job termination for intentionally turning off a camera.

This creates clear consequences for non-compliance, encouraging adherence to the new body camera requirements.

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 27

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 27

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3699

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedJan 27, 2026

Last actionJan 27, 2026

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2026

Senate BillS 3699Immigration

FOCUS Act

INTRODUCED JAN 27, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 27, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

7 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires all federal law enforcement officers engaged in immigration enforcement to wear and operate body cameras while on duty.

This establishes a mandatory, consistent standard for body camera use across federal immigration enforcement, promoting transparency.

med

Sets rules for how long body camera footage must be kept, generally for one year, but longer for critical events or if requested by specific parties.

This ensures important evidence is retained for a sufficient period while allowing for the deletion of less critical footage to manage storage.

high

Allows the public to request body camera footage of interactions or events, subject to government records procedures.

This provides a mechanism for public access to recordings, fostering external accountability and oversight of immigration enforcement activities.

med

Mandates specific technical requirements for body cameras, including automatic activation, GPS tracking, and secure wireless upload.

These features aim to ensure cameras are reliable, used consistently, and provide useful data for context and evidence.

high

Establishes administrative discipline for officers who fail to comply and potential job termination for intentionally turning off a camera.

This creates clear consequences for non-compliance, encouraging adherence to the new body camera requirements.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter.

Secretary of Homeland Security must submit an unredacted annual report to Congress and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

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An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Required review of body worn camera policy; subject to appropriate administrative discipline, including written reprimand, suspension, or other personnel actions.	Any Federal law enforcement officer who fails to comply with body camera requirements.
administrative	Discipline, which may include termination of employment.	Any Federal law enforcement officer who intentionally turns off the body worn camera in violation of requirements.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Immigration and Nationality Act: The main body of law governing immigration to the United States, including rules for who can enter, stay, and become a citizen, as well as enforcement of those rules.
Federal law enforcement officer: An employee of the U.S. government, or a private contractor working for the government, authorized to investigate or prevent violations of federal laws.
Body worn camera (BWC): A small audio and video recording device worn on an officer's uniform to capture events and interactions during their duty.
Administrative discipline: Actions taken by an employer against an employee for misconduct or failure to follow rules, which can include warnings, suspensions, or other personnel actions, but typically does not involve criminal charges.
Audit trail logging: A digital record that tracks who accessed or altered data, when, and from where, to ensure the integrity and chain of custody of information.
GPS-based location services: Technology that uses satellites to pinpoint the precise geographical location of a device, allowing for tracking and mapping of recorded events.
LTE wireless evidence upload

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

JAN 27

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

JAN 27

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

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FOCUS Act

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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FOCUS Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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