What does Preamble of LOCATE Act do?

This bill aims to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to timely update the Online Detainee Locator System. The bill's stated purpose is to address updates to the Online Detainee Locator System and includes 'other purposes' not further specified in this section.

What does SHORT TITLES. of LOCATE Act do?

This Act is formally titled the "Location Updates for Custody and Transparency Enforcement Act" or the "LOCATE Act".

What does DEFINITIONS. of LOCATE Act do?

This section defines key terms used within the Act. A 'custody event' is defined as any significant change in an individual's location or custodial status while in immigration detention. Specific custody events include initial intake, transfer between facilities, release, removal from the United States, and death. The 'Online Detainee Locator System' refers to the system maintained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for tracking detainees.

What does TIMELY REPORTING OF DETAINEE CUSTODY EVENTS. of LOCATE Act do?

This section mandates timely updates to the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) regarding the custodial status and location of individuals in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Updates to the ODLS must occur within 6 hours for CBP custody events and 12 hours for ICE custody events. When an individual is transferred from CBP to ICE custody, CBP must provide relevant biographical and custodial information to ICE within 4 hours. The ODLS must include specific detainee information, such as full name, date of birth, facility details, dates of apprehension and transfer, and scheduled release/removal/transfer dates. The section clarifies that it does not supersede the requirements of the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 regarding reporting in-custody deaths.

What does ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. of LOCATE Act do?

The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security must conduct annual audits to assess compliance with section 3. The Inspector General must submit annual reports summarizing audit findings to the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary. Within 12 hours of a custody event involving a detainee, reasonable efforts must be made to notify close family members or legal representatives, if known.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of LOCATE Act do?

This Act will become effective 30 days after its enactment.

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LOCATE Act

Last updated: 3/4/2026 · Introduced: 3/4/2026

Author: Ben Luján (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

The LOCATE Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to update the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) within 6 hours for CBP custody events and 12 hours for ICE custody events, detailing significant changes in detainee location and status.
The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General must annually audit compliance with these reporting requirements and report findings to Congress.
Within 12 hours of a custody event, agencies must make reasonable efforts to notify close family members or legal representatives of the detainee, if known.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short titles., and 4 more.

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