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Border Security Investment Act
2/13/2025, 3:15 PM
Summary of Bill HR 445
The funds will be used to enhance border security efforts, including the construction of physical barriers such as walls or fences, the implementation of advanced technology like surveillance drones and sensors, and the hiring and training of additional border patrol agents and officers.
The bill does not specify a specific amount of funding for the trust funds, but rather authorizes Congress to appropriate funds as needed to support border security initiatives. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for oversight and accountability measures to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently. Overall, the Border Security Trust Fund Act aims to provide dedicated funding for essential border security measures to help protect the nation's borders and enhance national security.
Congressional Summary of HR 445
Border Security Investment Act
This bill imposes a fee on the electronic transfer of funds (i.e., remittances) sent to certain countries and provides funding for border security activities from the collected amounts.
Specifically, the fee shall apply to remittances sent through money services business to one of the five countries that had the most citizens or nationals unlawfully enter the United States in the previous fiscal year, as determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The fee must be 37% of the amount sent.
Half of the money collected by the fee must be placed in a trust fund for reimbursing border states for expenses incurred for border security enforcement measures. The other half must be placed in another trust fund for (1) deploying technology and installing physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, and (2) paying the wages and salaries of U.S. Border Patrol agents.
If the amount in the trust funds exceeds a certain threshold, the excess money must be used only for deficit reduction.
