Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2025

This bill would set up a grant program to help local governments near the U.S.–Mexico border pay for security costs. Cities and counties within 200 miles of the border could apply to the Department of Homeland Security to be reimbursed for things like extra pay for local police working border security. “Sanctuary” jurisdictions would not be eligible. Each grant could be up to $500,000 per year.

The money could not be used to reimburse nonprofits, pay for legal representation, or provide schooling, housing, food, or healthcare to noncitizens. DHS would also have to report each year through 2035 on how the grants are used and how the program is working. The bill allows $25 million per year for this program from fiscal years 2026 through 2036.

Key points

• Who is affected: City and county governments within 200 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border; sanctuary jurisdictions are not eligible.
• What changes: DHS can give grants to reimburse border security costs, up to $500,000 per year per community; funds can’t go to nonprofits, lawyers, or services like schooling, housing, food, or healthcare for noncitizens.
• When: DHS reports start one year after enactment and continue annually through 2035; funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026–2036.