---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 251"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "251"
heading: "Transfer of functions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/251"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter IV — Border, Maritime, and Transportation Security"
  - "Part D — Immigration Enforcement Functions"
---

# §251. Transfer of functions


In accordance with subchapter XII (relating to transition provisions), there shall be transferred from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) all [functions](/usc/6/101.md?p=9) performed under the following programs, and all [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), [assets](/usc/6/101.md?p=3), and liabilities pertaining to such programs, immediately before such transfer occurs:

- (1) The Border Patrol program.
- (2) The detention and removal program.
- (3) The intelligence program.
- (4) The investigations program.
- (5) The inspections program.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 441, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2192; Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(g)(1)(B)(v)(I), Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 212.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–125 substituted “Transfer of functions” for “Transfer of functions to Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security” in section catchline and “Secretary” for “Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security” in introductory provisions.