If passed, HB7695 would amend Title 49 of the United States Code to explicitly state that Federal air marshals cannot be used to assist in border security or immigration processing activities, which has traditionally included aiding the Department of Homeland Security. This decision would likely result in a more concentrated reliance on other divisions of federal enforcement while potentially altering the operational strategies used to manage border enforcement and immigration flow.
Summary
House Bill 7695, known as the 'No FAMS at the Border Act of 2024', seeks to prohibit the deployment of Federal air marshals to the southern and northern borders of the United States. This legislation aims to change the existing framework surrounding the use of federal law enforcement resources at the borders, specifically targeting the involvement of air marshals in border security operations. The primary objective articulated in the bill is to limit the federal presence in border management, directing the enforcement efforts toward other federal agencies.
Contention
The legislation has generated debate among lawmakers, with proponents arguing that it could streamline border security efforts by minimizing bureaucratic overlap and ensuring that resources are adequately allocated to more specialized agencies. Critics, however, raise concerns that this bill may endanger national security and undermine effective enforcement at a critical zone for illegal immigration and human trafficking. The bill allows for exceptions in cases deemed a 'border crisis', provided determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, yet the criteria for such a determination and its potential for misuse have been flagged as points of contention.