Kim sponsors bipartisan bill to build southern border strategy

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be tasked with completing a comprehensive strategy to secure America’s southern border under a bipartisan bill introduced on May 18 by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA).

“Under the Biden administration, the border crisis has reached unprecedented levels, straining our resources, emboldening cartel organizations, turning a blind eye to illegal immigration, and undermining legal immigration,” Rep. Kim said. “As Title 42 comes to an end, the Biden administration must take the border crisis seriously and Congress must act to secure our border.”

The Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy Act, H.R. 3508, which Rep. Kim sponsored with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), would direct DHS to submit a comprehensive strategy within 12 months of the bill’s enactment to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee and the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Under H.R. 3508, the strategy would have to include an overview of the current security risks at the southern border, and a review of the tools used by DHS to combat drug trafficking, including fentanyl and related substances, according to a summary provided by the lawmakers.

Additionally, the strategy would have to detail which type of physical barrier, technology or other device DHS thinks would best maintain operational control for each mile of the southern border and why; a per mile cost calculation for each mile of the southern border for which type of security device used; and cost justifications for each time a more expensive device was chosen, the summary says.

“We cannot kick the can down the road any longer. Border security is national security, and I am proud to work in a bipartisan way to ensure that our federal government — regardless of who is leading the administration — makes border security a priority and evaluates how we can best secure operational control of every mile of our border,” said Rep. Kim.

Rep. Pappas said that for months, he urged the Biden administration to properly plan for the end of Title 42 and present a plan to Congress that would prevent a crisis at the nation’s southern border.

“Political inaction in Washington has contributed to the broken immigration system, and it is time for us to work together across the aisle on solutions,” said the congressman. “We must ensure operational control at the border and give border agents the resources they need to humanely and expeditiously process migrant claims.” 

H.R. 3508 has been referred for consideration to the House Homeland Security Committee.