Border Violence Prevention Act of 2009

HR 1867 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1867

To authorize additional resources for the Department of Homeland Security to enhance security activities along the international border with Mexico, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 2, 2009

Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona (for herself and Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To authorize additional resources for the Department of Homeland Security to enhance security activities along the international border with Mexico, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Border Violence Prevention Act of 2009'.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS ALONG SOUTHWEST BORDER.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expand border security operations along the southwest border between the United States and Mexico, including the southbound inspection and investigation of vehicles, to--

(1) reduce the potential for border violence;

(2) enhance border security; and

(3) prevent the illicit flow of arms and bulk cash across such southwest border.

SEC. 3. UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

(a) Activities- In carrying out section 2, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection, shall--

(1) increase southbound border security infrastructure and inspection capabilities at ports of entry located on the southwest border between the United States and Mexico;

(2) acquire and deploy at least two x-ray mobile inspection units to such southwest border;

(3) acquire and deploy at least ten dual detection canine teams to such southwest border;

(4) equip with license plate readers the outbound lanes at ports of entry located on such southwest border, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;

(5) acquire and equip United States Customs and Border Protection personnel with body armor; and

(6) take any other related actions or activities required under section 2 to expand border security operations on such southwest border.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security $70,000,000 to carry out the border security operations required under subsection (a).

SEC. 4. UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

(1) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) units operate within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance border security and reduce cross-border violence by coordinating the enforcement and information sharing activities of Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies along the southwest border between the United States and Mexico.

(2) The Department of Homeland Security, through United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's `Armas Cruzadas', coordinates key enforcement and intelligence personnel to address the border security threat represented by the illegal export of weapons from the United States into Mexico.

(3) An increase in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources along such southwest border will help prevent cross-border violence by helping to reduce the illicit flow of narcotics into the United States and arms and bulk cash into Mexico.

(b) Activities- In carrying out section 2, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall--

(1) hire and deploy at least 100 additional United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to be assigned to Border Enforcement Security Taskforce units involved in efforts to reduce southwest border violence over the number of such personnel so assigned as of the date of the enactment of this Act;

(2) improve existing Border Enforcement Security Taskforce facilities and acquire new space for Border Enforcement Security Taskforce units along such southwest border locations;

(3) increase resources and personnel for Operation Armas Cruzadas over the resources obligated and personnel so assigned as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(4) take any other related actions or activities required under section 2 to expand border security operations on such southwest border.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security $30,000,000 to carry out the border security operations required under subsection (b).

SEC. 5. COORDINATION.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the heads of other relevant Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies, as appropriate, to carry out in a comprehensive manner the border security operations required under this Act.

END