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Congressman Rutherford Introduces the TRACER Act

May 18, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Rutherford introduced H.R. 2471, the Terrorist Release Announcements to Counter Extremist Recidivism Act (TRACER Act). This legislation would require that state and local law enforcement be notified when federal prisoners convicted of terrorism charges are released from prison into their communities. While this information is sometimes shared with local agencies, often it is not, leaving local law enforcement and fusion centers without essential information to monitor security risks in their communities.

Congressman John Rutherford said, "Every day, America's public safety officers place themselves in harm's way. For this they deserve not only our gratitude, but every tool necessary to keep our communities and families safe. That is why, as we observe National Police Week, I am introducing the TRACER Act, which will require the Department of Homeland Security to share information regarding potential terrorism risks with law enforcement at the local level. We have the best law enforcement in the world, and by encouraging them to work together, they will become an even stronger force against the evils of terrorism."

In October 2015, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) was incarcerating nearly 350 individuals with convictions linked to international terror groups. The BOP further shared that between 2015-2020, 112 inmates with convictions relating to international terrorism will be released with an additional 100 released between 2021 and 2030. Yet the federal government has no systematic process for notifying local authorities, specifically law enforcement, about these individuals, hence the need for this legislation.

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