Fortifies Support for Proposed Pact Bolstering U.S. Power to Manage Illegitimate Cross-Border Activities
The United States Senate has reached an agreement on a landmark immigration deal, aimed at enhancing the country's authority to curb illegal migrant crossings at the southern border. This deal, often referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," includes over $70 billion in supplemental funding and is set to be unveiled next week.
Key elements of the deal include emergency border closures, physical barriers, expedited asylum processes, increased border enforcement funding, state and local involvement, and stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
In the event of an emergency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be granted new emergency authority to close the border if daily average migrant encounters reach 4,000 over a one-week period. If crossings exceed 5,000 on average per day in a given week, DHS would be mandated to close the border to migrants crossing illegally. If daily crossings surpass 8,500, DHS would be obligated to close the border to illegal migrants.
The bill allocates approximately $46.55 billion for the construction, installation, or improvement of physical barriers along the U.S. southern and northern borders. This includes primary walls, river barriers, secondary barriers, and vehicle and pedestrian barriers, totaling thousands of miles of barrier infrastructure. Enhanced security technology such as cameras, sensors, lights, and other surveillance tools will support these barriers, aiming to control border access more effectively during potential emergency border closures.
The bill also amends asylum laws to tighten eligibility and accelerate processing. Specifically, it revises Section 208(a)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate a person as ineligible for asylum if they transit through at least one other country en route to the U.S. without applying for and being denied protection there. This "Safe Third Country" provision enables faster removal of those who do not follow asylum procedures in other countries, facilitating expedient processing at the border.
Over $5 billion are allocated for improving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities including detention and checkpoint infrastructure. Additionally, $4.1 billion targets hiring and training Border Patrol agents and support staff, with $2 billion in bonuses to enhance retention and recruitment. A further $6.2 billion funds advanced border security and screening technologies including non-invasive inspections and AI-driven tools to combat illicit trafficking.
The deal also includes approximately $10 billion for a “State Border Security Reinforcement Fund” to support states in constructing border barriers and intercepting unauthorized crossings. Moreover, $3.5 billion is allotted for reimbursing state and local governments for immigration-related enforcement, detention, and prosecution costs.
The proposal includes a provision where any migrant attempting to cross the closed border twice would face a one-year ban from entering the United States. A minimum of 1,400 asylum applications could be processed through legal ports of entry during the period of emergency authorities.
President Joe Biden has expressed support for the deal, emphasizing its toughness and fairness, and has pledged to use new emergency authority immediately upon signing the bill into law. The deal comes amidst Trump's call for Republicans to reject any immigration compromise, with several prominent Senate Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.
December witnessed over 300,000 migrant encounters alone, and the deal aims to address the surge in migrants overwhelming federal authorities in recent months. The deal also opens the door for aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan to be attached to the legislation, reflecting the Senate leaders' hope to address multiple pressing issues in one bill. Certain migrants could stay if they prove to be fleeing torture or persecution in their countries.
[1] Source: Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill Fact Sheet [2] Source: Senate's Immigration Deal Fact Sheet [3] Source: Texas Operation Lone Star Program Fact Sheet [4] Source: Safe Third Country Provisions in the Senate's Immigration Deal Fact Sheet
- The "One Big Beautiful Bill" in the Senate's proposed immigration deal includes provisions for stricter policies and legislations, such as emergency border closures, enhanced border security, amended asylum laws, and increased funding for border enforcement, reflecting the focus on war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, politics, and general news.
- The deal, aimed at addressing the surge in illegal migrant crossings, also involves funding for state and local governments in crime-and-justice matters, including a "State Border Security Reinforcement Fund" to support states in constructing border barriers, and reimbursing state and local governments for immigration-related enforcement costs, highlighting the interconnection between immigration and crime issues.
