State Border Security Assistance Act

#3464 | HR Congress #119

Policy Area: Immigration
Subjects:

Last Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (5/15/2025)

Bill Text Source: Congress.gov

Summary and Impacts
Original Text

Bill Summary

The "State Border Security Assistance Act" establishes two funds aimed at enhancing state-level border security and addressing crimes involving undocumented immigrants.

1. **State Border Security Reinforcement Fund**: This fund, managed by the Department of Homeland Security, is allocated $11 billion for fiscal year 2025 to support states and local governments in various activities, including the construction of barriers along the southern U.S. border, surveillance to prevent illegal entry, and relocating unlawfully present individuals. Grants can be used for ongoing or new projects initiated after January 20, 2021, and will be available until the fund sunsets on January 20, 2029, with any remaining funds returned to the Treasury.

2. **State Criminal Alien Prosecution and Detention Fund**: Managed by the Department of Justice, this fund is appropriated $3.5 billion for similar purposes, including locating and apprehending undocumented aliens, prosecuting crimes they may commit, and supporting law enforcement operations. Like the first fund, it supports both existing and new activities since January 20, 2021, and will terminate on January 20, 2029.

Overall, the act aims to reinforce border security and improve the prosecution and detention of individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. through substantial financial support to eligible states and local agencies.

Possible Impacts

Here are three examples of how the "State Border Security Assistance Act" could affect people:

1. **Increased Law Enforcement Presence**: The establishment of the State Criminal Alien Prosecution and Detention Fund could lead to an increase in law enforcement activities focused on apprehending individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. This might result in more frequent immigration checks and surveillance in communities, potentially impacting the daily lives of residents, particularly in areas with high immigrant populations. Residents may feel a heightened sense of scrutiny or fear, affecting their willingness to engage with law enforcement or participate in community activities.

2. **Infrastructure Changes Along the Border**: The allocation of funds for the construction or installation of barriers such as a border wall could lead to significant changes in communities near the southern border. This might include alterations to the landscape, increased construction traffic, and potential displacement of local residents. Communities may experience a mix of support and opposition to these changes, with some residents believing that increased security is necessary, while others may see it as harmful to their environment and local economy.

3. **Resource Allocation and Community Services**: The appropriations outlined in the bill could divert funds from other local services, such as education, healthcare, or social services, to support border security and law enforcement efforts. This might lead to reduced funding for essential community programs, affecting the quality of life for residents who rely on these services. Additionally, local governments may need to balance their budgets in response to the new priorities set by this legislation, which could impact public services and community welfare initiatives.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3464 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3464

To establish the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund and the State 
 Criminal Alien Prosecution and Detention Fund, to make appropriations 
 to each of these funds, and to authorize the use of such amounts for 
     grants to eligible States, State agencies, and units of local 
                   government for specified purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 15, 2025

Mr. Roy (for himself, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Ellzey, Mr. Golden 
of Maine, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Moran, and Mr. McCaul) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 
and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to 
      be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund and the State 
 Criminal Alien Prosecution and Detention Fund, to make appropriations 
 to each of these funds, and to authorize the use of such amounts for 
     grants to eligible States, State agencies, and units of local 
                   government for specified purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``State Border Security Assistance 
Act''.

SEC. 2. STATE BORDER SECURITY REINFORCEMENT FUND.

    (a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established, in the Department 
of Homeland Security, a fund, which shall be known as the ``State 
Border Security Reinforcement Fund'' (referred to in this section as 
the ``Fund''). The Secretary of Homeland Security shall use amounts 
appropriated or otherwise made available for the Fund for grants to 
eligible States, State agencies, including National Guard units, and 
units of local government for any of the following purposes:
            (1) Construction or installation of a border wall, border 
        fencing, or other barriers or buoys along the southern border 
        of the United States, which may include planning, procurement 
        of materials, and personnel costs related to such construction.
            (2) Any work necessary to prepare the ground at or near the 
        United States border to allow construction or maintenance of a 
        border wall or other barrier fencing or effective surveillance.
            (3) Information-gathering and surveillance to detect and 
        interdict the unlawful entry of persons or contraband across 
        the United States border.
            (4) Relocation of aliens who are unlawfully present in the 
        United States from small population centers.
    (b) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available for 
the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a), 
there is appropriated in fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Homeland 
Security for the Fund, $11,000,000,000, to remain available until 
September 30, 2034, for qualified expenses that meet the purposes 
described in subsection (a).
    (c) Grant Eligibility of Completed, Ongoing, or New Activities.--
The Secretary of Homeland Security may provide grants under subsection 
(a) to State agencies and units of local government for expenditures 
they made for completed, ongoing, or new activities determined to be 
eligible for such grant funding that occurred on or after January 20, 
2021.
    (d) Sunset.--The Fund shall terminate on January 20, 2029, and any 
unobligated amounts remaining in the Fund on that date shall be 
returned to the Treasury of the United States for deficit reduction 
purposes.

SEC. 3. STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN PROSECUTION AND DETENTION FUND.

    (a) Establishment of Fund.--There is established, in the Department 
of Justice, a fund, which shall be known as the ``State Criminal Alien 
Prosecution and Detention Fund'' (referred to in this section as the 
``Fund''). The Attorney General shall use amounts appropriated or 
otherwise made available for the Fund for grants to eligible States, 
State agencies, including National Guard units, and units of local 
government for any of the following purposes:
            (1) Locating and apprehending aliens who are unlawfully 
        present in the United States or have committed a crime under 
        Federal, State, or local law.
            (2) Intelligence and information-gathering to counter gang 
        activity.
            (3) Investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by 
        aliens and drug and human trafficking crimes.
            (4) Court operations related to the prosecution of crimes 
        committed by aliens and drug and human trafficking crimes.
            (5) Temporarily detaining aliens, including costs related 
        to facility operations, personnel, and health and safety 
        related services.
            (6) Transporting aliens described in paragraph (1) to 
        locations related to their apprehension, detention, and 
        prosecution.
            (7) Vehicle maintenance, logistics, transportation, and 
        other support provided to law enforcement agencies by a State 
        agency to enhance their ability to locate and apprehend aliens 
        who have unlawfully entered the United States or have committed 
        crimes under Federal, State, or local law.
    (b) Appropriation.--In addition to amounts otherwise available for 
the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a), 
there is appropriated in fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Justice for 
the Fund, $3,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2034, 
for qualified expenses that achieve any such purposes.
    (c) Grant Eligibility of Completed, Ongoing, or New Activities.--
The Attorney General may provide grants under subsection (a) to State 
agencies and units of local government for expenditures they made for 
completed, ongoing, or new activities determined to be eligible for 
such grant funding that occurred on or after January 20, 2021.
    (d) Sunset.--The Fund shall terminate on January 20, 2029, and any 
unobligated amounts remaining in the Fund on that date shall be 
returned to the Treasury of the United States for deficit reduction 
purposes.
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