Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB445

Introduced
1/15/25  
Refer
1/15/25  

Caption

Border Security Investment ActThis bill imposes a fee on the electronic transfer of funds (i.e., remittances) sent to certain countries and provides funding for border security activities from the collected amounts.Specifically, the fee shall apply to remittances sent through money services business to one of the five countries that had the most citizens or nationals unlawfully enter the United States in the previous fiscal year, as determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The fee must be 37% of the amount sent.Half of the money collected by the fee must be placed in a trust fund for reimbursing border states for expenses incurred for border security enforcement measures. The other half must be placed in another trust fund for (1) deploying technology and installing physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, and (2) paying the wages and salaries of U.S. Border Patrol agents.If the amount in the trust funds exceeds a certain threshold, the excess money must be used only for deficit reduction.

Impact

If enacted, HB 445 will significantly impact how states can secure funding for border security operations. Specifically, it will allocate 50% of the fees collected from remittance transfers to these trust funds. The amounts in these funds can be utilized by the Secretary of Homeland Security without requiring further appropriations, thereby streamlining financial support for border enforcement activities. The bill introduces a structure for funding aimed at both immediate border security needs and long-term investments in security infrastructure.

Summary

House Bill 445, titled the 'Border Security Investment Act', is designed to establish two trust funds to enhance border security measures. The bill mandates the creation of the Border Security State Reimbursement Trust Fund and the Border Security Trust Fund. These funds are intended to support states by providing financial reimbursement for expenditures related to border security enforcement. The proposed legislation reflects a growing emphasis on increasing resources dedicated to border defense and infrastructure improvements at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Contention

The bill's primary points of contention stem from debates over the implications of increased financial resources for border security. Proponents contend that enhancing funding will directly contribute to improved safety and control over illegal crossings. However, critics argue that such a focus on strengthening border enforcement might detract from addressing underlying issues such as immigration reform or humanitarian concerns regarding asylum seekers. The imposition of remittance fees may also be debated, particularly concerning their economic implications for individuals sending money to families across the border.

Congress_id

119-HR-445

Policy_area

Immigration

Introduced_date

2025-01-15

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB6817

To impose a fee on certain remittance transfers to fund border security.

US SB3516

A bill to impose a fee on certain remittance transfers to fund border security.

US HB114

Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act This bill establishes funding for a U.S.-Mexico border barrier and revises how border patrol agents are compensated for overtime. The Department of the Treasury shall set up an account for funding the design, construction, and maintenance of the barrier. The funds in the account are appropriated only for that purpose and for vehicles and equipment for border patrol agents. For each fiscal year, financial assistance to a country shall be reduced by $2,000 for each citizen or national of that country apprehended for illegally entering the United States through its southern border. The reduced amount shall be transferred to the border barrier account. The Department of State may opt not to reduce amounts appropriated to Mexico for various military and law enforcement-related activities. This bill establishes a 5% fee on foreign remittance transfers and increases the fee for the arrival/departure I-94 form for various aliens entering the United States, with part of the fees to go into the border barrier account. By December 31, 2023, DHS shall (1) take all actions necessary, including constructing barriers, to prevent illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico barrier; and (2) achieve operational control over all U.S. international borders. The bill changes how border patrol agents receive overtime pay when working up to 100 hours in a two-week period. For hours worked above 80, an agent shall receive at least 150% of the agent's regular hourly rate.

US HB672

Border Security Investment Act

US HB163

Security First Act This bill reauthorizes the Operation Stonegarden program from FY2024 through FY2027 and addresses other border security issues. (Operation Stonegarden provides grants to enhance the border security capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments.) From FY2024 through FY2027, the money from unreported monetary instruments seized from individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and transferred into the Department of the Treasury general fund shall be made available without further appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund Operation Stonegarden. DHS must report to Congress on (1) DHS hiring practices from 2018 to 2021, and (2) whether certain Mexican drug cartels meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. DHS must also periodically report to Congress about the technology needed to secure the U.S.-Mexico land border.

US HB336

Finish the Wall Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities related to the construction of a barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other border-related issues. DHS must resume all such construction activities that were planned or underway prior to January 20, 2021. DHS must also expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated since October 1, 2016, for construction of this barrier system. DHS may not cancel contracts for activities related to such construction entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Furthermore, within 14 days of this bill's enactment, DHS must certify to Congress that U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities that process adults taken into custody at the border are fully compliant with certain laws related to the collection of DNA. (Among other things, these laws allow for the collection of DNA samples from non-U.S. persons detained under U.S. authority.)

US HB199

Secure America's Borders First Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to provide certain military assistance to Ukraine until a border wall system along the U.S.-Mexico border is completed and operation control of such border is achieved. Specifically, this prohibition shall apply to funds made available to the Department of Defense and funds made available for security assistance or security cooperation.

US HB164

Close Biden's Open Border Act This bill provides $15 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to construct a border wall along the southern border of the United States. It also imposes a two-year moratorium on funding for U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.). During the two-year period, funds may not be authorized or otherwise made available for contributions to the U.N.

US HB1531

To provide for the renewed availability of funds to construct the border wall upon the deployment of the National Guard to the southern land border of the United States, and for other purposes.

US SB5542

A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds to remove the border wall or to dispose of materials previously acquired by the Federal Government to construct the border wall.

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