Division A — Border Security
A Border Security
Sec. 102 Border wall construction
Sec. 103 Strengthening the requirements for barriers along the southern border
“(a) In general—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary (including the removal of obstacles to detection of illegal entrants) to design, test, construct, install, deploy, integrate, and operate physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology in the vicinity of the southwest border to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border and deter, impede, and detect unlawful activity.”
“(A) Reinforced barriers—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall construct a border wall, including physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology, along not fewer than 900 miles of the southwest border until situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border is achieved.”
“(B) Physical barriers and tactical infrastructure—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deploy along the southwest border the most practical and effective physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology available for achieving situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border.”
“(i) In general—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, appropriate representatives of State, Tribal, and local governments, and appropriate private property owners in the United States to minimize the impact on natural resources, commerce, and sites of historical or cultural significance for the communities and residents located near the sites at which physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology are to be constructed. Such consultation may not delay such construction for longer than seven days.”
“(II) delay the transfer to the United States of the possession of property or affect the validity of any property acquisition by the United States by purchase or eminent domain, or to otherwise affect the eminent domain laws of the United States or of any State; or”
“(III) create any right or liability for any party.”
“(3) Agent safety—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, when designing, testing, constructing, installing, deploying, integrating, and operating physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, or technology, shall incorporate such safety features into such design, test, construction, installation, deployment, integration, or operation of such physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, or technology, as the case may be, that the Secretary determines are necessary to maximize the safety and effectiveness of officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security or of any other Federal agency deployed in the vicinity of such physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, or technology.”
“(1) In general—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall waive all legal requirements necessary to ensure the expeditious design, testing, construction, installation, deployment, integration, operation, and maintenance of the physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology under this section. The Secretary shall ensure the maintenance and effectiveness of such physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, or technology. Any such action by the Secretary shall be effective upon publication in the Federal Register.”
“(2) Notification—Not later than seven days after the date on which the Secretary of Homeland Security exercises a waiver pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate of such waiver.”
“(e) Technology—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deploy along the southwest border the most practical and effective technology available for achieving situational awareness and operational control.
“(f) Definitions—In this section:
“(1) Advanced unattended surveillance sensors—The term “advanced unattended surveillance sensors” means sensors that utilize an onboard computer to analyze detections in an effort to discern between vehicles, humans, and animals, and ultimately filter false positives prior to transmission.
“(2) Operational control—The term “operational control” has the meaning given such term in section 2(b) of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–367; 8 U.S.C. 1701 note).
“(3) Physical barriers—The term “physical barriers” includes reinforced fencing, the border wall, and levee walls.
“(4) Situational awareness—The term “situational awareness” has the meaning given such term in section 1092(a)(7) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 6 U.S.C. 223(a)(7)).
“(5) Tactical infrastructure—The term “tactical infrastructure” includes boat ramps, access gates, checkpoints, lighting, and roads.
“(6) Technology—The term “technology” includes border surveillance and detection technology, including the following:
“(A) Tower-based surveillance technology.
“(B) Deployable, lighter-than-air ground surveillance equipment.
“(C) Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radars (VADER).
“(D) 3-dimensional, seismic acoustic detection and ranging border tunneling detection technology.
“(E) Advanced unattended surveillance sensors.
“(F) Mobile vehicle-mounted and man-portable surveillance capabilities.
“(G) Unmanned aircraft systems.
“(H) Tunnel detection systems and other seismic technology.
“(I) Fiber-optic cable.
“(J) Other border detection, communication, and surveillance technology.
“(7) Unmanned aircraft system—The term “unmanned aircraft system” has the meaning given such term in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code.”
Sec. 104 Border and port security technology investment plan
Sec. 105 Border security technology program management
“437. Border security technology program management
“(a) Major acquisition program defined—In this section, the term “major acquisition program” means an acquisition program of the Department that is estimated by the Secretary to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $100,000,000 (based on fiscal year 2023 constant dollars) over its life-cycle cost.
“(b) Planning documentation—For each border security technology acquisition program of the Department that is determined to be a major acquisition program, the Secretary shall—
“(1) ensure that each such program has a written acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority;
“(2) document that each such program is satisfying cost, schedule, and performance thresholds as specified in such baseline, in compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and
“(3) have a plan for satisfying program implementation objectives by managing contractor performance.
“(c) Adherence to standards—The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall ensure border security technology acquisition program managers who are responsible for carrying out this section adhere to relevant internal control standards identified by the Comptroller General of the United States. The Commissioner shall provide information, as needed, to assist the Under Secretary in monitoring management of border security technology acquisition programs under this section.
“(d) Plan—The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a plan for testing, evaluating, and using independent verification and validation of resources relating to the proposed acquisition of border security technology. Under such plan, the proposed acquisition of new border security technologies shall be evaluated through a series of assessments, processes, and audits to ensure—
“(1) compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and
“(2) the effective use of taxpayer dollars.”
Sec. 106 U.S. Customs and Border Protection technology upgrades
Sec. 107 U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel
Sec. 108 Anti-Border Corruption Act reauthorization
“(b) Waiver requirement—Subject to subsection (c), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall waive the application of subsection (a)(1)—
“(1) to a current, full-time law enforcement officer employed by a State or local law enforcement agency who—
“(A) has continuously served as a law enforcement officer for not fewer than three years;
“(B) is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers for arrest or apprehension; and
“(C) is not currently under investigation, has not been found to have engaged in criminal activity or serious misconduct, has not resigned from a law enforcement officer position under investigation or in lieu of termination, and has not been dismissed from a law enforcement officer position;
“(2) to a current, full-time Federal law enforcement officer who—
“(A) has continuously served as a law enforcement officer for not fewer than three years;
“(B) is authorized to make arrests, conduct investigations, conduct searches, make seizures, carry firearms, and serve orders, warrants, and other processes;
“(C) is not currently under investigation, has not been found to have engaged in criminal activity or serious misconduct, has not resigned from a law enforcement officer position under investigation or in lieu of termination, and has not been dismissed from a law enforcement officer position; and
“(D) holds a current Tier 4 background investigation or current Tier 5 background investigation; or
“(3) to a member of the Armed Forces (or a reserve component thereof) or a veteran, if such individual—
“(A) has served in the Armed Forces for not fewer than three years;
“(B) holds, or has held within the past five years, a Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance;
“(C) holds, or has undergone within the past five years, a current Tier 4 background investigation or current Tier 5 background investigation;
“(D) received, or is eligible to receive, an honorable discharge from service in the Armed Forces and has not engaged in criminal activity or committed a serious military or civil offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and
“(E) was not granted any waivers to obtain the clearance referred to in subparagraph (B).
“(c) Termination of waiver requirement; snap-Back—The requirement to issue a waiver under subsection (b) shall terminate if the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) certifies to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate that CBP has met all requirements pursuant to section 107 of the Secure the Border Act of 2023 relating to personnel levels. If at any time after such certification personnel levels fall below such requirements, the Commissioner shall waive the application of subsection (a)(1) until such time as the Commissioner re-certifies to such Committees that CBP has so met all such requirements.”
“5. Supplemental Commissioner authority
“(a) Nonexemption—An individual who receives a waiver under section 3(b) is not exempt from any other hiring requirements relating to suitability for employment and eligibility to hold a national security designated position, as determined by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“(b) Background investigations—An individual who receives a waiver under section 3(b) who holds a current Tier 4 background investigation shall be subject to a Tier 5 background investigation.
“(c) Administration of polygraph examination—The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is authorized to administer a polygraph examination to an applicant or employee who is eligible for or receives a waiver under section 3(b) if information is discovered before the completion of a background investigation that results in a determination that a polygraph examination is necessary to make a final determination regarding suitability for employment or continued employment, as the case may be.
“6. Reporting
“(a) Annual report—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter while the waiver authority under section 3(b) is in effect, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to Congress a report that includes, with respect to each such reporting period, the following:
“(1) Information relating to the number of waivers granted under such section 3(b).
“(2) Information relating to the percentage of applicants who were hired after receiving such a waiver.
“(3) Information relating to the number of instances that a polygraph was administered to an applicant who initially received such a waiver and the results of such polygraph.
“(4) An assessment of the current impact of such waiver authority on filling law enforcement positions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“(5) An identification of additional authorities needed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to better utilize such waiver authority for its intended goals.
“(b) Additional information—The first report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following:
“(1) An analysis of other methods of employment suitability tests that detect deception and could be used in conjunction with traditional background investigations to evaluate potential applicants or employees for suitability for employment or continued employment, as the case may be.
“(2) A recommendation regarding whether a test referred to in paragraph (1) should be adopted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when the polygraph examination requirement is waived pursuant to section 3(b).
“7. Definitions
“In this Act:
“(1) Federal law enforcement officer—The term “Federal law enforcement officer” means a “law enforcement officer”, as such term is defined in section 8331(20) or 8401(17) of title 5, United States Code.
“(2) Serious military or civil offense—The term “serious military or civil offense” means an offense for which—
“(A) a member of the Armed Forces may be discharged or separated from service in the Armed Forces; and
“(B) a punitive discharge is, or would be, authorized for the same or a closely related offense under the Manual for Court-Martial, as pursuant to Army Regulation 635–200, chapter 14–12.
“(3) Tier 4; Tier 5—The terms “Tier 4” and “Tier 5”, with respect to background investigations, have the meaning given such terms under the 2012 Federal Investigative Standards.
“(4) Veteran—The term “veteran” has the meaning given such term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.”
Sec. 109 Establishment of workload staffing models for U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations of CBP
“(18) implement a staffing model for the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and the Office of Field Operations that includes consideration for essential frontline operator activities and functions, variations in operating environments, present and planned infrastructure, present and planned technology, and required operations support levels to enable such entities to manage and assign personnel of such entities to ensure field and support posts possess adequate resources to carry out duties specified in this section;
“(19) develop standard operating procedures for a workforce tracking system within the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and the Office of Field Operations, train the workforce of each of such entities on the use, capabilities, and purpose of such system, and implement internal controls to ensure timely and accurate scheduling and reporting of actual completed work hours and activities;”
Sec. 110 Operation Stonegarden
“2010. Operation Stonegarden
“(a) Establishment—There is established in the Department a program to be known as “Operation Stonegarden”, under which the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall make grants to eligible law enforcement agencies, through State administrative agencies, to enhance border security in accordance with this section.
“(b) Eligible recipients—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a law enforcement agency shall—
“(1) be located in—
“(A) a State bordering Canada or Mexico; or
“(B) a State or territory with a maritime border;
“(2) be involved in an active, ongoing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation coordinated through a U.S. Border Patrol sector office; and
“(3) have an agreement in place with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support enforcement operations.
“(c) Permitted uses—A recipient of a grant under this section may use such grant for costs associated with the following:
“(1) Equipment, including maintenance and sustainment.
“(2) Personnel, including overtime and backfill, in support of enhanced border law enforcement activities.
“(3) Any activity permitted for Operation Stonegarden under the most recent fiscal year Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.
“(d) Period of performance—The Secretary shall award grants under this section to grant recipients for a period of not fewer than 36 months.
“(e) Notification—Upon denial of a grant to a law enforcement agency, the Administrator shall provide written notice to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, including the reasoning for such denial.
“(f) Report—For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that contains—
“(1) information on the expenditure of grants made under this section by each grant recipient; and
“(2) recommendations for other uses of such grants to further support eligible law enforcement agencies.
“(g) Authorization of appropriations—There is authorized to be appropriated $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for grants under this section.”
“(a) Grants authorized—The Secretary, through the Administrator, may award grants under sections 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2010 to State, local, and Tribal governments, as appropriate.”
Sec. 111 Air and Marine Operations flight hours
“(C) carry out the small unmanned aircraft (as such term is defined in section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) requirements pursuant to subsection (f) of section 111 of the Secure the Border Act of 2023; and”