PATROL Act Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act
Impact
The implications of HB992 are significant as it allows states more autonomy in enforcing border security measures without the threat of federal lawsuits. Proponents of the bill argue that it serves to empower states to address border security proactively, especially in areas witnessing high levels of illegal crossings. By limiting the Department of Justice's ability to challenge these state measures, the bill could lead to an increase in physical border security infrastructures, like walls or fences, being constructed by individual states without federal oversight or interference.
Summary
House Bill 992, titled the Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act (PATROL Act), seeks to prohibit the Department of Justice from filing civil actions against states under specific sections of the Act of March 3, 1899. The bill explicitly aims to prevent any federal legal challenges to state-initiated measures aimed at constructing barriers along state borders. These barriers are intended to prevent unauthorized entry by aliens and to protect state territories in alignment with state-level immigration enforcement strategies. This act establishes a clear delineation of state powers regarding border security against federal intervention.
Contention
The bill has sparked debate among legislators and stakeholders regarding the balance of state and federal powers in immigration enforcement. Critics of HB992 express concerns that the bill may lead to an unchecked expansion of state authority in immigration matters, potentially resulting in disparate enforcement practices across states. There are fears that this could undermine national immigration policy coherence and lead to civil rights issues, particularly in relation to how aliens might be treated under state jurisdictions. The authors of the bill, however, advocate that empowering states is a necessary response to federal inaction on border control.