WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Susie Lee (NV-03) led a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Executive Associate Director Katrina Berger requesting an update on HSI considerations regarding the establishment of an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center. 

As former Chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Joyce included language encouraging HSI to consider establishing an Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Coordination Center in his Fiscal Year 2024 homeland security appropriations bill, which was enacted into law in March. 

“The risk of ORC is not only due to the violence oftentimes displayed during the act of retail theft, especially to retail workers, but also health risks posed by consuming stolen goods like baby formula or pharmaceuticals, which may be improperly stored or tampered with prior to the final purchase by a consumer. Beyond public safety, ORC also endangers Main Street businesses and the economy,” said the letter.

After highlighting current law enforcement efforts to combat ORC across the country, the letter continued, “We continue to believe, however, that establishing a formalized Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within HSI would significantly enhance the ability of law enforcement and businesses to mitigate the threats posed by these sophisticated criminal networks.”

In addition to the co-leads, co-signers include Representatives: Mark Alford (R-MO), Rick Allen (R-GA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Ami Bera (D-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Salud Carbajal (D- CA), Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Valerie P. Foushee (D-NC), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Michael Guest (R-MS), Josh Harder (D-CA), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Jeff Jackson (D-NC), John Joyce (R-PA), Thomas Kean (R-NJ), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Mike Levin (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Lisa C. McClain (R-MI), Richard McCormick (R-GA), Daniel Meuser (R-PA), Carol Miller (R-WV), Barry Moore (R-AL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Guy  Reschenthaler (R-PA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Austin Scott (R-GA), David Scott (D-GA), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), David J. Trone (D-MD), David G. Valadao (R-CA), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Steve Womack (R-AR), Rudy Yakym III (R-IN).