Secure America Act (S. 2)

Summary

Gives money to government agencies to hire more border agents, improve technology, and increase immigration enforcement activities.

What problem does this solve?

The government believes the nation's borders are not secure enough and that immigration laws are not being fully enforced. This law provides billions of dollars to hire more agents, buy new technology, and fund operations to strengthen border control.

What does this law do?

Massive funding for ICE immigration enforcement

Gives over $31 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for hiring personnel, transporting people for removal, and other immigration enforcement activities.

Funding for CBP immigration enforcement

Provides over $13 billion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire agents and support staff for immigration enforcement.

Targets 'sanctuary' jurisdictions

Sets aside at least $350 million for ICE to arrest certain immigrants in states or cities that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration detainers.

Funding for border technology and surveillance

Allocates $3.45 billion for new border technology, including inspection equipment, AI, surveillance systems, and a biometric entry and exit system to track people entering and leaving the country.

Funds non-enforcement roles at CBP

Provides $9.55 billion to CBP to hire Border Patrol agents and support staff for jobs that are not related to immigration or customs enforcement.

Funds non-enforcement roles at ICE

Gives $7.45 billion to ICE for Homeland Security Investigations agents and support, for work that is not related to immigration or customs enforcement.

Hires more child exploitation investigators

Specifies that $108.5 million must be used to hire more investigators and analysts to identify and rescue victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Who does this affect?

Immigrants and non-citizens
Federal law enforcement personnel
State and local governments

What is the real world impact?

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Increases government surveillance

Funds the deployment of new surveillance technologies at the border, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, which could raise privacy concerns for people in border communities.

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Pressures local governments on immigration

Allocates funds specifically for immigration arrests in places that do not fully cooperate with federal authorities, which could pressure 'sanctuary cities' to change their policies.

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Strengthens border security

Provides significant funding to federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hire more staff, upgrade technology, and increase operations.

When does this start?

The funding provided by this law is for fiscal year 2026 and will be available until late 2029.

Hiring deadline for processing coordinators

After October 31, 2028, funds can no longer be used to hire or train personnel for the role of processing coordinators at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

End of funding availability

All funds provided by this act must be used by September 30, 2029.

Secure America Act