Border Security for America Act of 2021

Border Security for America Act of 2021

This bill addresses border security and related issues.

For example, the bill

• requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities to construct a border barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021;
  
• requires DHS to deploy, in addition to physical barriers, tactical infrastructure and technology to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border;
  
• authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out a program to acquire innovative commercial items through a competitive selection of proposals;
  
• imposes certain requirements for DHS border security technology acquisition programs that have a total expenditure of at least $300 million;
  
• requires CBP to implement certain technologies, including a program to establish a biometric exit data system at ports of entry;
  
• requires CBP to increase or maintain certain staffing levels for agents, officers, processing coordinators, and other positions;
  
• requires CBP to implement a workload staffing model for the U.S. Border Patrol and for CBP's Air and Marine Operations; and
  
• provides statutory authority through FY2026 for Operation Stonegarden, a Federal Emergency Management Agency program that provides grants to states and territories involved in certain active CBP border security operations.

Bill 117 HR 4828, also known as the Border Security for America Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing border security along the US-Mexico border. The bill proposes various measures to strengthen border security, including the construction of physical barriers, the deployment of additional personnel, and the use of advanced technology to monitor and secure the border.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the authorization of funding for the construction of a border wall along the southern border. This wall is intended to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking, as well as to enhance overall border security. The bill also calls for the hiring of additional Border Patrol agents and the deployment of new technology, such as drones and surveillance cameras, to improve monitoring and enforcement efforts.

In addition to these measures, the Border Security for America Act of 2021 includes provisions aimed at improving coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as enhancing cooperation with international partners to address cross-border threats. The bill also seeks to streamline the immigration and asylum process, in order to more effectively manage the flow of migrants and refugees at the border. Overall, the Border Security for America Act of 2021 represents a comprehensive approach to enhancing border security and addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration and transnational crime. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect national security and uphold the rule of law, while critics raise concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties and the effectiveness of border security measures.