Civil Rights for International Travelers Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 Jun 2001): Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
What this bill does
H.R. 1996, the Civil Rights for International Travelers Act, would prohibit U.S. Customs Service officials from detaining or searching travelers based on their race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. This prohibition would have an exception if officials had specific information linking a traveler suspected of illegal activity to one or more of those characteristics. The bill would also require Customs Service personnel to receive regular training on search and detention procedures, with a specific focus on preventing profiling based on these personal attributes.
The bill would affect individuals traveling into the United States, as well as Customs Service inspectors and other officials. Additionally, it would require the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service to conduct an annual study on detentions and searches, including traveler demographics and search types, and report these findings to Congress each year.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in May 2001 during the 107th Congress. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has been formally presented for consideration but has not advanced to other legislative stages like committee review or votes by the full House or Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Civil Rights for International Travelers Act - Prohibits U.S. Customs Service inspectors or other officials from subjecting travelers to detentions and searches based on the traveler's race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation, except when acting upon specific information that a particular traveler suspected of engaging in specific illegal activity is described by one or more of such characteristics. Requires all Customs Service inspectors and other similar officials to undergo periodic training on the procedures for detention and searches of travelers, with particular emphasis on the prohibition against profiling of travelers based on such characteristics.
Timeline
4 Jun 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1996 do?
- H.R. 1996, the Civil Rights for International Travelers Act, would prohibit U.S. Customs Service officials from detaining or searching travelers based on their race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. This prohibition would have an exception if officials had specific information linking a traveler suspected of illegal activity to one or more of those characteristics. The bill would also require Customs Service personnel to receive regular training on search and detention procedures, with a specific focus on preventing profiling based on these personal attributes. The bill would affect individuals traveling into the United States, as well as Customs Service inspectors and other officials. Additionally, it would require the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service to conduct an annual study on detentions and searches, including traveler demographics and search types, and report these findings to Congress each year. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in May 2001 during the 107th Congress. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has been formally presented for consideration but has not advanced to other legislative stages like committee review or votes by the full House or Senate.
- Has H.R. 1996 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1996. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1996?
- H.R. 1996 was sponsored by Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5] (D-GA), with 33 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1996?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade. (4 Jun 2001).
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Civil Rights for International Travelers Act
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