The proposed legislation will amend existing laws to enhance cross-agency cooperation within DHS, leading to improved tracking, management, and humane treatment of concentrated surges of migrants. It establishes a Joint Task Force specifically tasked with combating human trafficking and smuggling across the U.S. land border. The task force will collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to dismantle illicit operations, aiming to reduce the influence of transnational criminal organizations and thereby increasing public safety at the borders.
Summary
House Bill 6392, known as the Border Security and Migrant Safety Act of 2023, aims to enhance national security by establishing a dedicated intelligence analytical cell within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) focused on border issues. This new initiative is designed to gather and share information regarding surges of migrants at the U.S. land borders, as well as the transnational criminal organizations that exploit these situations for smuggling activities. The bill emphasizes an integrated approach to improve DHS's readiness and response to migration trends and potential threats to homeland security.
Contention
As it stands, HB6392 has garnered both support and criticism from various stakeholders. Proponents argue the bill is necessary for strengthening border security and protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation. They believe the establishment of a Joint Task Force will lead to more efficient operations against human trafficking and smuggling. On the other hand, critics raise concerns about the potential for overreach and the implications for migrant rights. They fear such measures may undermine ethical treatment protocols and exacerbate the challenges faced by asylum seekers and migrants at the border.
Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to establish a new unit—a Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit—to investigate transnational criminal organization arms smuggling across the international border between the United States and Mexico. The purposes of the new unit include, among other things, reducing arms smuggling from the United States to Mexico.
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
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.