Bill > S481

This bill, titled the "Securing our Border Act," addresses multiple aspects of border security and immigration enforcement. The legislation proposes to transfer one-third of unobligated funds from a previous appropriations law to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for nonintrusive inspection systems at northern and southwest border ports of entry, with the goal of achieving 100% scanning by 2034. Another two-thirds of the unobligated funds would be allocated to the Department of Homeland Security for border wall construction along the southwest international border, with requirements for quarterly reports to congressional committees. The bill also authorizes CBP to provide various bonuses to agents, including recruitment bonuses up to $15,000, annual retention bonuses up to 15% of basic pay, and relocation bonuses up to 15% of annual basic pay. Additionally, the bill modifies immigration law to mandate that aliens arriving from contiguous territories either be returned to their original territory or a safe third country, or be detained for asylum application processing. The bill's findings highlight significant border security challenges, including high numbers of border encounters, drug seizures, migrant deaths, and potential national security risks.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/481/all-info