A bill to strengthen border security, increase resources for enforcement of immigration laws, and for other purposes.
Building America's Trust Act
This bill provides for strengthening the barriers along the U.S. land and maritime borders to deter illegal activity, including through U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement enhancements and personnel increases and National Guard use.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall: (1) establish a National Border Security Advisory Committee; (2) submit a southern border threat analysis; (3) implement the Border Security Deployment Program; (4) establish a biometric exit data system; (5) reestablish the Secure Communities program immigration enforcement program; (6) expand criminal alien repatriation programs; and (7) increase visa security at high-risk posts.
The Department of Agriculture may carry out livestock or plant disease prevention/eradication operations.
The bill: (1) makes it a crime to unlawfully hinder immigration, border, and customs controls; (2) requires increases in immigration and law enforcement personnel and district judgeships; (3) authorizes appropriations for specified immigration purposes; and (4) requires electronic passport screening and biometric matching at airports of entry.
Operation Stonegarden is established as a DHS program to provide border security grants.
The Department of Justice shall provide grants for identification of victims of cross-border human smuggling.
The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) apprehension and detention of aliens; (2) nonimmigrant admissions; (3) criminal alien detention and removal; (4) parole entry of aliens; (5) sanctuary jurisdictions; (6) unaccompanied alien children; (7) human trafficking, drug trafficking, criminal organizations, and money laundering; (8) terrorism and national security; (9) gangs; (10) criminal penalties, including penalties for drug trafficking and crimes committed by illegal aliens; (11) human rights violations; (12) visa/document fraud and other grounds for exclusion; (13) student and exchange visitor verification; and (14) use of immigration-related information.
An alien may not be granted any immigrant status or benefits until positive background and security checks are concluded.
The Department of State shall deny or revoke the passport of a person affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-273, Part I.
Introduced in Senate
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 208.
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 471.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.