Sponsors (12)
The bill provides predictable, modest federal reimbursements to border‑adjacent localities for security costs and increases oversight, but conditions access on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and bans use of funds for nonprofit humanitarian services—helping some local law enforcement while excluding and constraining others and potentially politicizing local policy.
Local governments within 200 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border will receive federal reimbursements (up to $500,000 per jurisdiction per year through FY2026–2036) to cover border security expenses including additional wages for law enforcement, directly reducing local security budget pressure.
Border jurisdictions gain predictable federal funding (multi‑year authorization through FY2026–2036) enabling short‑term budgeting and planning for security needs.
Requires annual reporting to relevant congressional committees on grant use and recommendations, increasing transparency and congressional oversight of how funds are spent.
Jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (so‑called 'sanctuary' jurisdictions) are excluded from eligibility, which politicizes funding, may chill local policymaking, and could trigger legal disputes and added administrative costs for affected localities.
Prohibits use of funds to reimburse or pay nonprofit organizations for humanitarian services (legal representation, housing, food, healthcare), reducing resources available to immigrants and community groups that provide critical non‑governmental support at the border.
The per‑jurisdiction grant cap of $500,000 per year may be insufficient for large or high‑need border jurisdictions, leaving significant local security and humanitarian costs unmet.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes DHS grants (up to $500k each) to reimburse certain border security expenses for eligible local governments within 200 miles of the Mexico land border, $25M/year for FY2026–2036.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to certain border communities for the purpose of reimbursing such communities for expenses related to security measures along the United States land border with Mexico, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Ronny Jackson · Last progress March 14, 2025
Creates a DHS grant program to reimburse U.S. local governments within 200 miles of the U.S.–Mexico land border for certain costs tied to security along that border. Grants (capped at $500,000 per applicant per year) may cover items such as additional wages for local law enforcement; the program is authorized at $25 million per year for FY2026–2036 and includes annual reporting requirements. Establishes eligibility rules and a definition of “sanctuary jurisdiction,” bars grants to jurisdictions that violate specified federal cooperation rules, and prohibits use of grant funds for nonprofit reimbursements, legal representation for aliens, or providing education, housing, food, or health care to aliens. Grants are subject to appropriations and DHS application procedures.