The passage of HB1285 would significantly affect the operational framework of DHS, as it would compel the department to review its programs and practices to confirm their alignment with the existing legal framework. By identifying unauthorized programs, the bill seeks to curtail any operations that may lack proper legislative backing, thus underscoring the need for congressional oversight in immigration matters. It is anticipated that such measures may lead to a reevaluation of certain programs within DHS to either secure proper authorization or cease their operations.
Summary
House Bill 1285, titled the Immigration Authorization Act of 2023, aims to enhance accountability within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by mandating a comprehensive report from the Secretary of Homeland Security. This report is required to identify programs and components of DHS that operate under immigration laws but are not explicitly authorized by statute for the fiscal year 2024. This legislative measure intends to ensure that all actions taken by the department are backed by clear statutory authority, thereby increasing transparency in immigration-related expenditures and operations.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding HB1285 lies in the potential implications for various programs that currently serve vital functions within immigration processing and enforcement. Critics may argue that requiring such reports could hinder the flexibility and responsiveness of DHS in handling immigration issues, particularly during crises or unpredictable scenarios. Moreover, concerns arise regarding the legislative workload that would accompany the processing and review of these reports, potentially leading to delays in operational decisions during peak periods of immigration activities.
Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 Legal Workforce Act Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023 Visa Overstays Penalties Act Protection of Children Act of 2023 Ensuring United Families at the Border Act Border Safety and Migrant Protection Act of 2023 Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2023
Secure the Border Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations; prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry; limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry; authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal; expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death; authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border; prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors; authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application; imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.
Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Homeland Security Division, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.
Office of Homeland Security; transferring the Office of Homeland Security from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to the Department of Public Safety. Emergency.
Relating to homeland security, including the creation of the Texas Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety, the operations of the Homeland Security Council, the creation of a homeland security fusion center, and the duties of state agencies and local governments in preparing for, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity breaches; providing administrative penalties; creating criminal offenses.
State government; creating the Targeted Violence Prevention Act; authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center to collect, analyze, and disseminate certain information to law enforcement and public safety agencies; codification; emergency.