Secure the Border Act of 2023
Latest action (11 May 2023): On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 213 (Roll no. 209).
What this bill does
H.R. 2, the "Secure the Border Act of 2023," is a broad immigration and border-security package. Division A directs the Department of Homeland Security to resume and complete border wall construction along the southern border, sets a target of at least 900 miles of physical barrier, and requires new technology investment plans, staffing models, and reporting on border operations, drug trafficking, and Customs and Border Protection resources. Division B changes asylum and immigration-enforcement law, including new limits on asylum eligibility (such as a "safe third country" bar and tighter credible-fear screening), revised detention and family-detention rules, provisions on unaccompanied children and repatriation, expanded penalties for illegal entry or visa overstays, and a rewrite of federal rules on immigration parole. It also revises the E-Verify employment-eligibility verification system for employers nationwide.
The bill primarily affects DHS and CBP operations, asylum seekers and other migrants, unaccompanied minors, and U.S. employers subject to work-authorization checks. It would tighten who qualifies for asylum or parole, change detention practices, increase penalties for certain immigration violations, and impose new verification requirements on employers hiring workers.
The bill was introduced May 2, 2023, and passed the House on May 11, 2023, by a 219–213 vote. It was never taken up or passed by the Senate, so it did not become law during the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Secure the Border Act of 2023
This bill makes various changes to immigration law, including by imposing limits on asylum eligibility and requiring employers to use an electronic system to verify the employment eligibility of new employees.
DIVISION A--BORDER SECURITY
This division requires certain actions related to border security.
(Sec. 102) This section requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities related to constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021.
(Sec. 103) This section imposes additional requirements on DHS related to the construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. For example, the bill requires DHS to construct a border wall (including related infrastructure and technology) along at least 900 miles of that border, whereas currently DHS is required to have at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along that border.
This section also requires DHS to waive all legal requirements necessary to ensure the expeditious construction of the border barriers, whereas currently DHS is authorized to waive such requirements.
(Sec. 104) This section requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit a strategic five-year technology investment plan to Congress.
Timeline
11 May 2023
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 213 (Roll no. 209).
Common questions
- What does H.R. 2 do?
- H.R. 2, the "Secure the Border Act of 2023," is a broad immigration and border-security package. Division A directs the Department of Homeland Security to resume and complete border wall construction along the southern border, sets a target of at least 900 miles of physical barrier, and requires new technology investment plans, staffing models, and reporting on border operations, drug trafficking, and Customs and Border Protection resources. Division B changes asylum and immigration-enforcement law, including new limits on asylum eligibility (such as a "safe third country" bar and tighter credible-fear screening), revised detention and family-detention rules, provisions on unaccompanied children and repatriation, expanded penalties for illegal entry or visa overstays, and a rewrite of federal rules on immigration parole. It also revises the E-Verify employment-eligibility verification system for employers nationwide. The bill primarily affects DHS and CBP operations, asylum seekers and other migrants, unaccompanied minors, and U.S. employers subject to work-authorization checks. It would tighten who qualifies for asylum or parole, change detention practices, increase penalties for certain immigration violations, and impose new verification requirements on employers hiring workers. The bill was introduced May 2, 2023, and passed the House on May 11, 2023, by a 219–213 vote. It was never taken up or passed by the Senate, so it did not become law during the 118th Congress.
- Has H.R. 2 become law?
- Not yet. As of 11 May 2023, H.R. 2 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 2?
- H.R. 2 was sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart [R-FL26] (Republican-FL), with 21 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 2?
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 213 (Roll no. 209). (11 May 2023).
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