Shadow Wolves Improvement Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new section to the Homeland Security Act to update and strengthen the Shadow Wolves Program, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit that works with tribal nations. It directs the ICE Director to set the program's mission and goals with input from partnering Tribal governments, including the Tohono O'odham Nation. The Director must decide how many special agents are needed and what skills they must have. Within 180 days the Director must update the program strategy with measurable objectives, a timeline, and recruiting milestones. The bill requires written information be given to current GS-1801 Tactical Officers on how reclassifying as special agents would affect pay, training, and benefits. It also requires a succession plan for retirements, criteria to evaluate tribal lands for new Shadow Wolves units, and a report to specified congressional committees within one year on implementation. The bill allows noncompetitive conversion of Shadow Wolves to competitive-service career appointments after three years of service. It also says no new funds are authorized for carrying out the Act.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a GS-1801 Tactical Officer employed as a Shadow Wolf, you would receive written, individualized information about what reclassification to special agent would mean for pay, overtime, retirement, training, medical or fitness exams, and eligibility for overtime during training.
  • Tribal governments that partner with the program, including the Tohono O'odham Nation, will be consulted about the program mission and goals and any expansion onto tribal lands.
  • The Department must assess staffing needs, create a succession plan for retirements, set recruitment milestones, and consider nearby federal training facilities when identifying new locations for units.
  • Experienced Shadow Wolves who complete three years of service may be converted noncompetitively to career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service.

Expenses#

The bill states: "No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act." There is no publicly available information in the bill text about estimated costs, savings, or how existing resources would be used.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.