Bill · S. 481· Senate(119-S-481)
Securing our Border Act
- Introduced
- 2/6/2025
- Last activity
- 2/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Scott
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Securing our Border Act" aims to reprogram remaining unobligated funds from the IRS enforcement account to various border security initiatives. One-third of these funds will go toward achieving a 100 percent nonintrusive inspection scanning rate at all northern and southwest border land ports of entry by February 6, 2034. Two-thirds of the funds are designated for the construction of a border wall system along the southwest international border. Additionally, the bill authorizes various bonuses for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, including recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses. The bill also modifies the treatment of aliens arriving from contiguous territories regarding their return or detention.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this tighten control of the border?+8
The bill funds a border wall, increases scanning rates, and provides bonuses for border agents.
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?+4
The bill increases nonintrusive inspection scanning to help intercept fentanyl and other illicit narcotics.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill provides funding for border wall construction and agent bonuses which may stimulate employment in those sectors.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?-6
The bill mandates the return or detention of aliens arriving from contiguous territories.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-5
The bill mandates the return or detention of aliens from contiguous territories rather than providing paths to status.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-4
The bill increases detention and return mandates for those arriving from contiguous territories.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Border Inspection Scanning: One-third of the unobligated funds will be used for nonintrusive inspection systems to reach a 100 percent scanning rate at all northern and southwest border land ports of entry by February 6, 2034 (Section 3). This may help address the issue of illicit narcotics, such as fentanyl, being trafficked across the border (Section 2).
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Border Wall Construction: Two-thirds of the unobligated funds will be transferred for activities related to constructing a border wall system along the southwest international border (Section 4).
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Agent Recruitment and Retention: The bill allows for recruitment bonuses up to $15,000, annual retention bonuses up to 15 percent of basic pay, and relocation bonuses up to 15 percent of annual basic pay for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Changes to Treatment of Aliens: The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding aliens arriving from contiguous territory, stating they "shall" be returned to such territory or a safe third country pending proceedings, or be detained for further consideration of an asylum application (Section 6).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-6Good For Hispanic Americans-4
- Healthcare
- Improves Opioid Crisis Response+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+8Improves Pathway To Citizenship-5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Due Process-3
- 2/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota