Rep. Nehls Introduces Border Security Bills

I have introduced two border security bills, H.R. 8709, the Prioritizing the Removal of Migrants Act and H.R. 8710, the Terrorist Reporting Act of 2022. These bills come at a critical time as our nation faces the worst border crisis in American history.

Earlier this year, a report released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended at least 66 people coming across the border whose names are on the Terrorist Screening Database. The 66 migrants intercepted at the border in Fiscal Year 2022 are more than double the numbers from the previous five years combined. My Terrorist Reporting Act of 2022 will require the Department of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress every 90 days that includes the total number of illegal immigrants apprehended by U.S. border patrol who are on the Terrorist Screening Database, as well as their national origin, citizenship, and detention status.

Additionally, the Biden administration released guidance earlier this year requiring federal immigration prosecutors to begin exercising prosecutorial discretion in dismissing older cases of immigrants who are not threats to public safety, national security, or border security. This means a higher number of individuals who are in the country illegally will no longer be prioritized for deportation. My Prioritizing the Removal of Migrants Act will codify a 2017 Executive Order signed by President Trump, in order to limit this prosecutorial discretion and prioritize the removal of criminal illegal immigrants.

As we face a catastrophic border crisis, it’s critical we do everything we can to keep our borders and keep our communities safe. Congress and the American public deserve to know who is attempting to cross our southern border. These individuals coming across are no longer your “Average Joes.” These are known terrorists, who are attempting to sneak into our country through Mexico and are succeeding as a result of Joe Biden’s disastrous border policies.

“These two pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Nehls would provide needed accountability and fix critical problems at our southern border that Texans see every day firsthand,” said Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. “The Biden Administration’s insidious border policies, including its April guidance regarding prosecutorial discretion and the apprehension of 60 individuals on the terror watch list this fiscal year, display the need for Congress to take action to secure our country. Congressman Nehls’ bills are steps to in the right direction.”

The Terrorist Reporting Act of 2022 was cosponsored by Representatives Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), and Ken Buck (R-CO). The Prioritizing the Removal of Migrants Act was cosponsored by Representatives Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Jody Hice (R-GA).