Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB2824

Introduced
9/14/23  

Caption

Secure the Border Act of 2023

Impact

If passed, SB2824 would significantly impact existing state laws related to immigration enforcement and border security. It proposes amendments to current legal frameworks allowing state law enforcement officers to take more proactive roles in apprehending undocumented individuals and dismantling smuggling operations. The bill is likely to broaden the scope of authority for local law enforcement in these areas, effectively merging state and local efforts to address border-related issues.

Summary

SB2824, known as the Secure the Border Act of 2023, aims to enhance security measures along the state border with Mexico. The bill addresses the ongoing concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking by proposing increased funding for law enforcement agencies, bolstering border patrol efforts, and establishing stricter penalties for smuggling activities. Proponents argue that these measures are crucial in maintaining public safety and order within border communities.

Contention

However, the bill has sparked a contentious debate among legislators. Opponents argue that while securing the border is essential, the methods outlined in SB2824 could lead to overreach and potential abuse of power by law enforcement. Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns that the increased authority granted to local police might result in racial profiling and community distrust. The discussion reflects a broader national dialogue on immigration and the balance between ensuring security and preserving individual rights.

Companion Bills

US HB2

Same As 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.

US HB29

Related Border Safety and Security Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend the entry of any non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) without valid entry documents during any period when DHS cannot detain such an individual or return the individual to a foreign country contiguous to the United States. A state may sue DHS to enforce this requirement. (Under current law, non-U.S. nationals who arrive at the border without entry documents are generally subject to expedited removal. However, if such an individual is found to have a credible fear of persecution, they are typically subject to detention while their asylum claim is being considered.) The bill also authorizes DHS to suspend the entry of non-U.S. nationals without entry documents at the border if DHS determines that such a suspension is necessary to achieve operational control over such a border.

US HB319

Related Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the information from the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

US HB336

Related 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 HB596

Related Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act

US SB206

Related END FENTANYL Act Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of life Act

US SB505

Related Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023

US HB1401

Related END FENTANYL Act Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of life Act

US SB918

Related SECURE Flights Act of 2023 Strengthening Enforcement to Curtail Unlawful, Risky Entrance to Flights Act of 2023

US HB1690

Related RIDE Act Regional Immigration Diplomacy and Enforcement Act

US HB1703

Related Strengthening Enforcement and Criminalizing Unlawful Records Enabling Flights Act SECURE Flights Act

US HB2436

Related Visa Overstays Penalties Act

US HB2432

Related Migrant Processing and Protection Act of 2023

US HB2417

Related Protection of Children Act of 2023

US HB2453

Related Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023

US HB2557

Related CBP Workload Staffing Model Act

US HB2580

Related Ensuring United Families at the Border Act

US HB2640

Related 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

US HB2794

Related Border Reinforcement Act of 2023

US HB2843

Related Crime Doesn’t Fly Act of 2023

US SB1857

Related ANTI-Drugs Act Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking officers in Interdicting Drugs Act

US HB5525

Related Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024

US HB6477

Related To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the process for inspection of applicants for admission.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.