Keeping International Land Ports of Entry Open Act

In order to successfully carry out the duty to facilitate and expedite the flow of legitimate travelers and trade set forth in subsections (c)(3) and (g)(3)(D) of section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211), Department of Homeland Security staff may not be transferred from any international land port of entry along the international border between the United States and Mexico unless—

(1) such transfer would not affect the processing of trade through such port of entry;

(2) such staff member is immediately replaced by a staff member of similar ability; or

(3) the transfer of such staff member is necessary to actively engage in physical detentions to secure such border.

The exception set forth in subsection (a)(3) shall not apply to any function that does not directly involve the physical security of the international border between the United States and Mexico, such as the processing of aliens who have crossed such border.

When transferring staff pursuant to an exception set forth in subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security, at the earliest opportunity, including before such transfers, if possible, and under no circumstances later than 24 hours after such transfers, shall provide—

(1) written notice of such transfers, including an explanation of the applicability of a relevant exception under subsection (a), to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and

(2) public notice of such transfers (without disclosing personally identifiable information) and any related closures at ports of entry for the benefit of participants in international trade who may be affected by such closures.