Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Jun 2004): Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
What this bill does
H.R. 4591, the Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004, proposes changes to immigration and national security laws. It would require immigration removal proceedings to be open to the public, with exceptions for certain sensitive information or situations. The bill also mandates that individuals arrested or detained under the Immigration and Nationality Act be served notice within 48 hours and brought before an immigration judge within 72 hours, unless they are certified as involved in espionage or terrorism. Additionally, it calls for individualized bond determinations reviewable by an immigration judge.
The legislation would abolish the Executive Office of Immigration Review and replace it with an Immigration Review Commission. It would also terminate the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and close most related removal proceedings. For violations of registration and address change requirements, criminal penalties would be eliminated, replaced by civil penalties. The bill also amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, altering court review procedures for certain electronic surveillance materials and requiring federal agencies to report data-mining activities to Congress.
H.R. 4591 was introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2004 by Representative Howard Berman. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Committee on Intelligence. The bill has not advanced beyond the introduction stage.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require removal proceedings to be open to the public subject to specified exceptions.
Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) serve notice to appear within 48 hours on aliens arrested or detained under the INA and bring them before an immigration judge within 72 hours, with exceptions for aliens certified as engaging in espionage or terrorism; and (2) conduct individualized bond determinations reviewable by an immigration judge.
Limits the authority of the Board of Immigration Review (created by this Act) to stay release orders.
Abolishes the Executive Office of Immigration Review and replaces it with the Immigration Review Commission.
Terminates the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and most NSEERS-related removal proceedings.
Requires the Secretary to use prosecutorial discretion in immigration enforcement.
Eliminates criminal penalties and deportation, and establishes civil penalties, for an alien's violation of registration and change of address requirements.
Requires data entered into the National Crime Information Center database to meet Privacy Act accuracy requirements.
Timeline
28 Jun 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4591 do?
- H.R. 4591, the Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004, proposes changes to immigration and national security laws. It would require immigration removal proceedings to be open to the public, with exceptions for certain sensitive information or situations. The bill also mandates that individuals arrested or detained under the Immigration and Nationality Act be served notice within 48 hours and brought before an immigration judge within 72 hours, unless they are certified as involved in espionage or terrorism. Additionally, it calls for individualized bond determinations reviewable by an immigration judge. The legislation would abolish the Executive Office of Immigration Review and replace it with an Immigration Review Commission. It would also terminate the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and close most related removal proceedings. For violations of registration and address change requirements, criminal penalties would be eliminated, replaced by civil penalties. The bill also amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, altering court review procedures for certain electronic surveillance materials and requiring federal agencies to report data-mining activities to Congress. H.R. 4591 was introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2004 by Representative Howard Berman. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Committee on Intelligence. The bill has not advanced beyond the introduction stage.
- Has H.R. 4591 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4591. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4591?
- H.R. 4591 was sponsored by Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28] (D-CA), with 22 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4591?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (28 Jun 2004).
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