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.
The bill also establishes an Operation Stonegarden Trust Fund funded by the Treasury, sourced from the seizure of unreported monetary instruments by Customs and Border Protection at the U.S.-Mexico border. This funding mechanism seeks to ensure that resources are consistently available without the need for annual appropriations. Furthermore, it mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct an assessment of its hiring practices and to report on the technological needs for seamless border security operations, including the designations of certain Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
House Bill 163, titled the 'Security First Act,' aims to reauthorize funding for Operation Stonegarden from fiscal years 2024 to 2027. This program allocates grants to enhance the border security capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments, focusing particularly on areas adjacent to the Southwest border. By authorizing $180 million annually for this program, the bill emphasizes the importance of local law enforcement in national border security efforts. Additionally, the bill stipulates a minimum of $60 million each year for procuring advanced technologies such as communications devices, sensors, and drones to further strengthen security measures.
Notably, the proposal to classify specific Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations has emerged as a contentious point. This designation would facilitate the application of more stringent federal measures and resources against such organizations. Some lawmakers support this provision as a necessary step in combating drug-related violence and trafficking, while opponents argue it may lead to overreach and disproportionately impact communities along the border. The bill's potential implications for civil liberties and local governance present ongoing debates regarding the proper balance between national security and individual rights.