This measure would reprogram remaining unobligated funds from the IRS enforcement account. One-third of those funds would go to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to buy and deploy nonintrusive inspection systems with the goal of 100% scanning at northern and southwest land ports of entry by February 6, 2034. Two-thirds would go to the Department of Homeland Security for activities related to construction of a border wall system along the southwest international border through the same date. The measure also authorizes hiring and retention incentives for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents (recruitment bonuses up to $15,000; annual retention bonuses up to 15 percent of basic pay; relocation bonuses up to 15 percent of annual basic pay) and specifies those bonuses are not part of basic pay. Finally, it amends the treatment of aliens arriving from contiguous territory to require that such an alien either be returned to that territory or a safe third country pending hearings, or be detained for further asylum consideration including a credible fear determination.
The bill's findings state reasons for the actions it directs: border security is described as essential; there are concerns about illicit drugs (including fentanyl) entering through ports of entry and high overdose deaths; current nonintrusive inspection coverage at the southern border is low; seizures and encounters at the southwest border have been large; there are many deaths attempting to cross; there is a large immigration court backlog; ports need more staffing; and many southern sectors rely on outdated systems. The bill frames the proposed funding shift, new technology, wall construction, and bonuses as responses to those problems.
No publicly available information.