Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act” or the “PATROL Act”.
Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act
A BILL
To prohibit the Department of Justice from bringing a civil action against a State under section 9 or 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899, for certain border security measures, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Prohibition on civil action for certain border security measures
In general— The Attorney General may not bring or maintain a civil action (including an action that is pending on the date of enactment of this Act) under section 9 or 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401; 403), against a State for any measure undertaken by the State to build, construct, erect, or otherwise install a barrier along the international border of the State for the purpose of—
preventing aliens from entering the State in violation of the immigration laws; or
protecting the territory of the State.
Definitions— In this section:
Alien— The term “alien” has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
Barrier— The term “barrier” means any physical structure intended to secure the border, including a wall, fence, or floating buoy.
Immigration laws— The term “immigration laws” has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).