Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security passed H.R. 3548, the “Border Security for America Act.” Introduced by Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), the bill includes a provision from Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) to prevent federal agencies from obstructing U.S. Customs and Border Projection’s (CBP) activities on federal border lands. Chairman Bishop issued the following statement:

“Our federal land management agencies lack the statutory authority to adequately protect our nation’s borders. As a result, we remain vulnerable to national security threats, criminal activity and environmental degradation,” Chairman Bishop said. “This legislation is the result of a decades-long effort to enhance border security and it is time for passage. I thank Chairman McCaul for his dedication on this issue and look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to advance this legislation.”

Background:

Since 2010, Chairman Bishop has led efforts to enhance border security and improve the CBP’s access to federal lands. Under current policies, federal border lands have become an unpatrolled highway that is open to criminals, drug smugglers, human traffickers and terrorists who endanger American lives and cause severe environmental damage. 

Section 120 of the “Border Security for America Act,” prevents the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture from impeding, prohibiting, or restricting CBP activities on federal land located within 100 miles of the Southern Border to execute search and rescue operations, and to prevent all unlawful entries into the United States. It also authorizes federal land management agencies to forego environmental regulations impeding border wall construction and related barriers.  

Click here for additional information on the “Border Security for America Act.”