US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB506

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  

Caption

Security First ActThis bill reauthorizes the Operation Stonegarden program from FY2025 through FY2028 and addresses other border security issues. (Operation Stonegarden provides grants to enhance the border security capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments.)From FY2025 through FY2028, the money from unreported monetary instruments seized from individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and transferred into the Department of the Treasury general fund shall be made available without further appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund Operation Stonegarden.DHS must report to Congress on (1) DHS hiring practices from 2018 to 2024, and (2) whether certain criminal gangs and Mexican drug cartels meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. DHS must also periodically report to Congress about the technology needed to secure the U.S.-Mexico land border.

Impact

The bill proposes the establishment of a trust fund designated for Operation Stonegarden, which is intended to bolster resources for state and local law enforcement in their efforts to secure the U.S. borders. It authorizes substantial appropriations aimed at procuring advanced technology and equipment to enhance surveillance and operational capabilities along the Southwest border. The anticipated outcome is to facilitate a more coordinated and efficient law enforcement response to border security challenges, thereby improving safety for both agents and the public.

Summary

House Bill 506, titled the 'Security First Act', aims to enhance national security measures related to border control by mandating assessments for designations of foreign terrorist organizations, specifically targeting Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs. This legislation is driven by concerns surrounding increased encounters with undocumented individuals at the U.S.-Mexico border and the associated threat of terrorism. It underscores the necessity for effective strategies to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling, drawing attention to the opioid crisis in the country as a significant element of discourse.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB506 is the proposed designation of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This move could significantly affect the political and operational landscape in U.S.-Mexico relations, intensifying the focus on combating organized crime and terrorism. However, critics argue that this approach could impact diplomatic ties and may lead to repercussions for local communities, including the risk of increased militarization of border areas and the potential for civil rights violations.

Congress_id

119-HR-506

Policy_area

Immigration

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB103

Congressional Border Security Assessment ActThis bill grants Members of Congress and their accompanying staff lawful access to Indian reservations for the purpose of assessing national security, public safety, and the security of the border. Specifically, the bill applies to an Indian reservation that includes 50 or more contiguous miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. 

US SB41

Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish at least two Joint Operations Centers along the U.S.-Mexico border. The centers shall provide centralized operations hubs for (1) coordinating operations between federal, state, local, and tribal agencies as needed; and (2) coordinating and supporting border operations, including detecting criminal activity, such as activity related to transnational criminal organizations and illegal border crossings.

US HB424

State Border Security Reimbursement Act of 2025 This bill requires the federal government to reimburse eligible states for their border security expenses.To be eligible, a state must have expended more than $2.5 billion on border security and enforcement in the 10 years before this bill's enactment. If such a state provides by a certain deadline an accounting of all of its nonfederally funded border security expenses, the federal government must reimburse the full amount.

US HB4832

Relating to the deposit of federal reimbursements for border security operations into the general revenue fund and the funding of services and programs in the border region.

US HB445

Border Security Investment ActThis 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.

US HB1165

Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025 This bill limits the operation of foreign cranes at U.S. ports. In general, foreign cranes are those that have information technology and operational technology components that (1) were manufactured by companies that are subject to the ownership, control, or influence of a country designated as a foreign adversary; and (2) connect to ports' cyber infrastructure.Foreign cranes that are contracted for on or after the date of the bill's enactment may not operate at a U.S. port. Also, beginning five years after this bill is enacted, foreign cranes operating at U.S. ports may not use software or other technology manufactured by a company owned by a country designated as a foreign adversary.Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must (1) inspect foreign cranes for potential security risks or threats before they are placed into operation, (2) assess the threat posed by security risks or threats of existing or newly constructed foreign cranes, and (3) take any crane that poses a security risk or threat offline until the crane can be certified as no longer being a risk or threat.CISA must also report to Congress about security risks or threats posed by foreign cranes at U.S. ports.

US HB1994

Relating to efficiency audits of Operation Lone Star and other border security programs.

US SB930

Relating to efficiency audits of Operation Lone Star and other border security programs.

US HB7844

To provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with the authority to transfer funds between accounts under the Department of Homeland Security during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.

US HCR40

Urging Congress to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.