Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023

Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023

This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility.

For example, the bill

• limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who arrive in the United States at a port of entry;
• allows for the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal;
• expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death;
• requires a fee of at least $50 for each asylum application, except for certain applications involving an unaccompanied alien child;
• authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border;
• prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors;
• authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application;
• imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and
• requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.

Bill 118 hr 2640, also known as the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing border security and enforcement measures. The bill focuses on several key areas related to immigration and border control.

One of the main provisions of the bill is the allocation of additional funding for border security measures, including the construction of physical barriers along the US-Mexico border and the hiring of more border patrol agents. The bill also calls for increased surveillance technology and resources to monitor and secure the border more effectively.

In addition to bolstering border security, the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 includes provisions aimed at improving enforcement of immigration laws. This includes measures to crack down on illegal immigration, such as increasing penalties for individuals who enter the country unlawfully and enhancing cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the bill addresses the issue of visa overstays by implementing stricter monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that individuals do not remain in the country beyond the expiration of their visas. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the immigration process and reduce backlogs in the immigration system. Overall, the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 seeks to strengthen border security, enhance enforcement of immigration laws, and improve the overall efficiency of the immigration system. The bill has garnered support from lawmakers who believe that these measures are necessary to protect national security and uphold the rule of law.