Senate poised to vote on retail crime bill that would expand ICE role
The Senate is expected to vote on the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act by the end of the year after the House passed it in May. The legislation would establish a Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center inside Homeland Security Investigations, whose head would be appointed by ICE’s director.
Many retailers and loss prevention experts back the bill because it would improve coordination among local, state, federal law enforcement and the private sector to combat organized retail crime. However, critics warn that the measure could pull retailers into immigration enforcement efforts unrelated to theft, as HSI resources are already being diverted to support mass deportations. The National Retail Federation told Retail Dive it avoided questions about ICE’s role and the shift of HSI resources to immigration enforcement. The NRF also disclosed that it halted its annual impact assessment in 2023 after Retail Dive found it had combined outdated shrink estimates unrelated to crime.
“I see people talk about organized retail theft, but we have really not a lot of strong understanding of what's driving it and the scope of the problem, and whether or not the actual problem is getting bigger,” Jeff Asher, crime analyst and co-founder of AH Datalytics said.
“Through this, retailers are going to be deputized to help ICE,” Jina John, Senior Policy Counsel for AI, Privacy, and Technology at the American Civil Liberties Union said.
CORCA has been a top goal of retail industry lobbyists for years and enjoys bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The House passed the bill in May, leading to an expected Senate vote before the year’s end. Proponents argue the legislation would improve coordination against organized retail theft.
What we know
Senate vote on CORCA expected by end of year
Bill would create Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within HSI
ICE’s director would appoint the head of the new center
NRF stopped publishing its impact assessment in 2023