HR-2 : Still Just a Bill

Secure the Border Act of 2023

This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility.

For example, the bill

  • requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border;
  • provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations;
  • prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry;
  • limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry;
  • authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal;
  • expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death;
  • authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border;
  • prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors;
  • authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application;
  • imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and
  • requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2024-12-17CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.House committee actions
2024-12-17CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Trade.House committee actions
2023-05-16CalendarsRead the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 71.Senate
2023-05-15CalendarsReceived in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
2023-05-11FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2023-05-11VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 213 (Roll no. 209). (text: 5/10/2023 CR H2195-2216)House floor actions
2023-05-11VoteOn motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 221 (Roll no. 208).House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2293-2294)House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on the motion to recommit the bill and by voice vote announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Garcia (TX) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postoned further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorMs. Garcia (TX) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2281)House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorDEBATE - The House resumed with further debate on H.R. 2.House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2258-2281)House floor actions
2023-05-11FloorPursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that consideration of H.R. 2 would now resume.House floor actions
2023-05-10FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H. R. 2 would be postponed.House floor actions
2023-05-10FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with five hours of debate on H.R. 2.House floor actions
2023-05-10FloorRule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 and H.R. 1163. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2 under a closed rule with five hours of general debate, and the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1163 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
2023-05-10FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 383. (consideration: CR H2195-2236)House floor actions
2023-05-10FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 383 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 and H.R. 1163. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2 under a closed rule with five hours of general debate, and the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1163 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, 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.House floor actions
2023-05-02IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Immigration
See Subjects
  • Administrative remedies
  • Border security and unlawful immigration
  • Child safety and welfare
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Computer security and identity theft
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Criminal justice information and records
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Detention of persons
  • Domestic violence and child abuse
  • El Salvador
  • Employee hiring
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Family relationships
  • Federal preemption
  • Foreign labor
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Latin America
  • Law enforcement officers
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Mexico
  • Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
  • Personnel records
  • Photography and imaging
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
  • State and local government operations
  • Telephone and wireless communication
  • Visas and passports