H.R. 6170 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6170 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 1, 2023 Mr. Williams of Texas (for himself, Mr. Collins, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Norman, Mr. Babin, Mr. Baird, Mr. Self, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Ogles, and Mr. Weber of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to cease all immigration functions at ports of entry along the southern border until the United States is secure, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act. 2. Southern border closure (a) Cessation of all immigration functions at southwest border (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary to immediately cease immigration functions described in paragraph (2) at ports of entry along the southern border. (2) Immigration functions described The immigration functions described in this paragraph are the following: (A) The processing of aliens into the United States who seek entry at the southwest border. (B) The processing of aliens into the United States who unlawfully cross into the United States. (b) Detention and removal The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall immediately detain aliens apprehended along the southwest border and expediently remove such aliens from the United States. (c) Certification The cessation under subsection (a) shall terminate 15 days after the date on which the Secretary of Homeland Security submits to Congress a certification that no individuals included on the terrorist screening database are able to enter the United States at any point along the southern border. (d) Report The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) identifies security risks and capability gaps along the southwest border; (2) includes information relating to efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to— (A) prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States; and (B) combat and reduce cross-border criminal activity, including— (i) the transport of illegal goods, such as illicit drugs; and (ii) human smuggling and human trafficking; and (3) includes a plan to ensure all aliens apprehended at ports of entry are cross-referenced against the terrorist screening database and immediately detained and not released until a match determination is acquired. (e) Definition In this section, the term terrorist screening database has the meaning given such term in section 2101 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 621).