Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Investigations Unit, Computer Forensics Unit, and Cyber Crimes Unit
Cyber Crimes Center
In general
Purpose
Child Exploitation Investigations Unit
In general
Functions
The CEIU—
shall coordinate all United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement child exploitation initiatives, including investigations into—
child exploitation;
child pornography;
child victim identification;
traveling child sex offenders; and
forced child labor, including the sexual exploitation of minors;
shall, among other things, focus on—
child exploitation prevention;
investigative capacity building;
enforcement operations; and
training for Federal, State, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agency personnel, upon request;
shall provide training, technical expertise, support, or coordination of child exploitation investigations, as needed, to cooperating law enforcement agencies and personnel;
shall provide psychological support and counseling services for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel engaged in child exploitation prevention initiatives, including making available other existing services to assist employees who are exposed to child exploitation material during investigations;
is authorized to collaborate with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children for the purpose of the recruiting, training, equipping and hiring of wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members, through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program; and
shall collaborate with other governmental, nongovernmental, and nonprofit entities approved by the Secretary for the sponsorship of, and participation in, outreach and training activities.
Data collection
The CEIU shall collect and maintain data concerning—
the total number of suspects identified by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
the number of arrests by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, disaggregated by type, including—
the number of victims identified through investigations carried out by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and
the number of suspects arrested who were in positions of trust or authority over children;
the number of cases opened for investigation by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and
the number of cases resulting in a Federal, State, foreign, or military prosecution.
Availability of data to Congress
Cooperative agreements
Acceptance of gifts
In general
Exemption from Federal Acquisition Regulation
Reports
Not later than 1 year after
submit a report containing a summary of the data collected pursuant to paragraph (3) during the previous year to—
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
make a copy of each report submitted under subparagraph (A) publicly available on the website of the Department.
Computer Forensics Unit
In general
Functions
The CFU—
shall provide training and technical support in digital forensics to—
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel; and
Federal, State, local, tribal, military, and foreign law enforcement agency personnel engaged in the investigation of crimes within their respective jurisdictions, upon request and subject to the availability of funds;
shall provide computer hardware, software, and forensic licenses for all computer forensics personnel within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
shall participate in research and development in the area of digital forensics, in coordination with appropriate components of the Department; and
is authorized to collaborate with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children for the purpose of recruiting, training, equipping, and hiring wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members, through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program.
Cooperative agreements
Acceptance of gifts
In general
Exemption from Federal Acquisition Regulation
Cyber Crimes Unit
In general
Functions
The CCU—
shall oversee the cyber security strategy and cyber-related operations and programs for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
shall enhance United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to combat criminal enterprises operating on or through the Internet, with specific focus in the areas of—
cyber economic crime;
digital theft of intellectual property;
illicit e-commerce (including hidden marketplaces);
Internet-facilitated proliferation of arms and strategic technology; and
cyber-enabled smuggling and money laundering;
shall provide training and technical support in cyber investigations to—
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel; and
Federal, State, local, tribal, military, and foreign law enforcement agency personnel engaged in the investigation of crimes within their respective jurisdictions, upon request and subject to the availability of funds;
shall participate in research and development in the area of cyber investigations, in coordination with appropriate components of the Department; and
is authorized to recruit participants of the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program for investigative and forensic positions in support of the functions of the CCU.
Cooperative agreements
Authorization of appropriations
Source
(Pub. L. 107–296, title VIII, § 890A, as added Pub. L. 114–22, title III, § 302(b)(1),Notes
Findings
The illegal market for the production and distribution of child abuse imagery is a growing threat to children in the United States. International demand for this material creates a powerful incentive for the rape, abuse, and torture of children within the United States.
The targeting of United States children by international criminal networks is a threat to the homeland security of the United States. This threat must be fought with trained personnel and highly specialized counter-child-exploitation strategies and technologies.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security serves a critical national security role in protecting the United States from the growing international threat of child exploitation and human trafficking.
The Cyber Crimes Center of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a vital national resource in the effort to combat international child exploitation, providing advanced expertise and assistance in investigations, computer forensics, and victim identification.
The returning military heroes of the United States possess unique and valuable skills that can assist law enforcement in combating global sexual and child exploitation, and the Department of Homeland Security should use this national resource to the maximum extent possible.
Through the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child Rescue Corps program, the returning military heroes of the United States are trained and hired to investigate crimes of child exploitation in order to target predators and rescue children from sexual abuse and slavery.”