Secure Border Act of 2011

Bill Number: 
H.R. 1299
Bill Status: 
Bill introduced in Committee
Bill Location: 
House of Representatives
Date of Last Action: 
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Link to entire bill at the Library of Congress site.
Relevant Text: 

H.R.1299 -- Secure Border Act of 2011 (Introduced in House - IH)

HR 1299 IH

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1299

To achieve operational control of and improve security at the international land borders of the United States, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 31, 2011

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan (for herself, Mr. KING of New York, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. QUAYLE, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. LONG, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. WALSH of Illinois, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, Mr. CANSECO, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado, and Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To achieve operational control of and improve security at the international land borders of the United States, 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 `Secure Border Act of 2011'.

SEC. 2. STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE BORDER.

    (a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

      (1) The border shared by the United States and Mexico, and numerous Mexican towns in close proximity to that border, have experienced a dramatic surge in crime and violence to ongoing activity among rival Mexican drug cartels and criminal smuggling organizations that employ predatory tactics to realize their profits.
      (2) In August 2005, the States of New Mexico and Arizona declared states of emergency in order to provide local law enforcement immediate assistance in addressing criminal activity along the Southwest border.

      (3) A recent Government Accountability Office report found that only 44 percent of the Southwest border was under operational control, and less than two percent of the Northern border is under operational control.

      (4) It is the obligation of the Federal Government to adequately secure the borders of the United States and prevent the flow into the United States of undocumented persons, unlawful drugs, and other contraband.

    (b) Strategy- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Senate a comprehensive strategy for gaining operational control of the international borders of the United States within five years. The strategy shall include an analysis of the following:

      (1) Staffing requirements for all border security functions.

      (2) Investment in infrastructure, including pedestrian fencing, vehicle barriers, and roads.
      (3) The use of unmanned aerial vehicles, camera technology, and sensors.

      (4) Cooperation agreements with international, State, local, tribal, and other Federal law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction on the border.

      (5) Other means designed to detect, respond to, and interdict cross-border unlawful activity and to reduce the level of violence.

      (6) A schedule for implementing security measures, including a prioritization for future investments.

      (7) Considerations of risks to border communities and law enforcement.

    (c) Operational Control Defined- In this Act, the term `operational control' has the meaning given such term in section 2(b) of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1701 note; Public Law 109-367).