Border Barrier Funding and Construction

Summary#

This bill would create a new Treasury account to pay for building and maintaining a physical barrier and related roads, technology, and limited equipment on the land border with Mexico. It would raise some fees and redirect some U.S. foreign assistance money into that account. It also expands DHS authority to build barriers, sets deadlines, changes pay rules for Border Patrol agents, and adds penalties for evading a new remittance fee.

• New fund: Establishes the "Secure the Southern Border Fund" to be used only for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining a border barrier and for buying/maintaining Border Patrol vehicles and equipment (no more than 5% for vehicles/equipment).
• New revenue sources: Creates a 5% fee on remittances sent to people outside the U.S. and raises the I‑94 arrival/departure processing fee from $6 to $25; parts of these fees are directed into the new fund.
• Foreign aid tied to crossings: Requires DHS to report annual counts of people apprehended after illegally crossing from Mexico by nationality, and directs the State Department to reduce foreign assistance to each country by $2,000 per such person, then transfer those reductions into the new fund (with a narrow exception for certain Mexico programs).
• Construction authority and deadlines: Directs DHS to design and install physical barriers, roads, and technology to prevent illegal crossings by December 31, 2025, and gives DHS broad authority to waive other legal requirements to speed work.
• Labor and enforcement changes: Allows Border Patrol agents to be paid at 150% of regular rate for hours 80–100 in a 14‑day period. Creates criminal penalties and other sanctions for attempts to evade the remittance fee.

What it means for you#

• People who send money abroad (remitters):

  • If the recipient lives outside the U.S., the sender would pay a new 5% fee on the U.S. dollar amount of the transfer.
  • Remittance companies would need to collect and transmit those fees to the new Treasury fund.

• Travelers and visitors:

  • The I‑94 processing fee would rise from $6 to $25. Of the new total, $9 would go to the new border fund, $6 stays in an existing border inspection account, and $10 may be used for Border Patrol salaries if Congress provides the money.

• Border Patrol agents and DHS employees:

  • The bill would change overtime rules so Border Patrol agents can be paid at least 150% of their regular rate for hours 80–100 in a 14‑day period.
  • DHS would gain broader authority to waive laws it sees as slowing construction and would be directed to finish barrier work by the end of 2025.

• Foreign governments receiving U.S. aid:

  • Foreign assistance could be cut by $2,000 for each national of that country apprehended after illegally crossing the southern land border during the fiscal year. Those reduced funds would be transferred into the new border fund.
  • The bill allows a specific exception for certain Mexico programs.

• Private landowners, tribes, and local communities near the border:

  • DHS must consult with federal, state, local, tribal governments and private owners before building. However, the bill says consultation does not stop DHS from proceeding and allows DHS to waive other laws to speed construction.
  • The Secretary must notify Congress of decisions about barrier locations and of decisions not to install fencing in certain locations.

• Remittance providers and financial institutions:

  • They must change systems to collect and remit the 5% fee and could face large penalties for aiding fee evasion.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

• The bill creates a Treasury fund that will be filled by remittance fees, higher I‑94 fees, and reductions in foreign assistance. The bill does not give dollar totals or a federal cost estimate.
• Likely new or higher revenues: the 5% remittance fee and the $19 increase in I‑94 fees (from $6 to $25), part of which is allocated to the new fund.
• Likely costs or spending: funds in the new account are made available to DHS “until expended” for barrier construction, maintenance, and up to 5% for vehicles/equipment. Exact construction and operating costs are not specified.
• Administrative and compliance costs: remittance companies must implement collection and remittance systems; DHS and other agencies will have costs to plan, consult, build, and manage projects. No estimates are provided.

Proponents' View#

• The bill appears intended to provide a dedicated funding stream to finish physical barriers and related infrastructure along the southern land border.
• Supporters may argue it would speed construction by giving DHS authority to waive legal requirements and by providing funding that is available until spent.
• The bill appears intended to make foreign governments more accountable for migration by tying some foreign aid to the number of nationals apprehended after illegal crossings.
• The new fees and transfers would direct money raised from remittances and arrival processing toward border construction and Border Patrol resources.
• Changing overtime rules could be seen as intended to better staff and incentivize extended patrol operations.

Opponents' View#

• One concern is cost fairness: the 5% remittance fee and higher I‑94 fee would increase costs for individuals who send money abroad and for international travelers. Remittances often go to low‑income families abroad.
• One concern is diplomatic and development impact: reducing foreign assistance by a fixed dollar amount per apprehension could cut funding for programs that address root causes of migration, and could complicate U.S. relations with partner countries.
• One concern is legal and environmental oversight: the bill gives DHS broad power to waive “all legal requirements” it deems necessary, which may limit environmental reviews, tribal consultation, or property‑rights protections in practice.
• One concern is clarity and oversight: the bill does not set clear total funding goals, construction schedules, or independent oversight mechanisms for how funds are spent.
• One concern is criminal penalties and enforcement: the bill creates severe penalties for remittance‑fee evasion that could affect financial practices and foreign recipients, and it gives multi‑agency discretion to bar countries from programs.
• One concern is labor impact: changing overtime rules could lead to very long work periods for Border Patrol agents and raises questions about worker safety and pay administration.