Secure America Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-98
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Became Public Law No: 119-98.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T19:28:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, known as the Secure America Act, appropriates funds through the congressional reconciliation process to strengthen border security, immigration enforcement, and related operations within the Department of Homeland Security. It allocates resources primarily for personnel hiring, technology upgrades, and enforcement activities.
Key Provisions
- Title I (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee):
- Provides $9.55 billion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for hiring, training, and equipping Border Patrol agents and support staff for non-immigration enforcement duties, with a restriction limiting processing coordinator roles after October 31, 2028.
- Allocates $7.45 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations for agents, support, and operations, including $108.5 million specifically for child exploitation investigators and victim identification.
- Appropriates $3.45 billion for border security technologies, nonintrusive inspection equipment, air and marine operations upgrades, surveillance systems, biometric entry-exit enhancements, and efforts to combat drug trafficking like fentanyl. Restrictions apply to untested surveillance towers.
- Includes $2.5 billion in additional Department of Homeland Security funding for Title I purposes.
- Title II (Judiciary Committee):
- Provides $13.02 billion to CBP for immigration enforcement activities, including hiring agents and support staff.
- Allocates $31.075 billion to ICE for immigration enforcement, covering personnel, transportation for removals, information technology, facility and fleet maintenance, expansion of 287(g) agreements with state and local authorities, legal representation, and operations. A minimum of $350 million targets arrests of certain "covered unlawful aliens" in non-cooperating jurisdictions, with detailed definitions and limitations on fund use.
- Includes $2.5 billion in additional Department of Homeland Security funding for Title II or specified prior law purposes.
All funds remain available through September 30, 2029, and are drawn from the Treasury without other appropriations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The Act introduces new, time-limited appropriations without broadly amending statutes but references and builds on existing provisions, such as section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for state-local coordination and sections 642 and 434 of prior laws defining cooperation requirements. It adds a definition of "autonomous" capabilities for surveillance systems and creates a new category of "qualified cooperating jurisdiction" tied to compliance with federal immigration detainer rules. Restrictions on fund uses, such as for certain personnel or untested equipment, represent targeted limitations not previously specified in these contexts.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Expands staffing and capabilities for CBP and ICE, potentially increasing operational capacity for border monitoring, drug interdiction, and removals while directing resources away from certain immigration processing roles.
- On citizens: May enhance detection of illicit narcotics and child exploitation cases through new technology and investigators; could affect communities near borders via increased enforcement presence.
- On international relations: Focuses on southwest, northern, and maritime borders, which may influence cross-border trade, travel screening, and cooperation with neighboring countries on drug trafficking.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security.
- State and local entities: Jurisdictions participating in or affected by 287(g) agreements and cooperation certifications.
- Law enforcement: Federal agents, investigators, and state/local partners involved in enforcement and child exploitation cases.
- Individuals: Those subject to immigration enforcement, including certain noncitizens with criminal histories, and victims of child exploitation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill exercises Congress's appropriations authority under the Constitution without altering core legal frameworks, though it ties funding to compliance with existing immigration statutes. It emphasizes enforcement priorities, such as detainer management and restrictions on releases, which could interact with judicial interpretations of due process in removal proceedings. Politically, the structure separates non-enforcement (Title I) from enforcement-focused (Title II) funding, reflecting distinct committee jurisdictions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Became Public Law No: 119-98.
- 2026-06-10: Became Public Law No: 119-98.
- 2026-06-10: Signed by President.
- 2026-06-10: Signed by President.
- 2026-06-09: Presented to President.
- 2026-06-09: Presented to President.
- 2026-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-09: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 214 - 212 (Roll no. 214). (text: CR H4017-4018) (Roll call 214)
- 2026-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 214 - 212 (Roll no. 214). (text: CR H4017-4018) (Roll call 214)
- 2026-06-09: On motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 215 (Roll no. 213). (Roll call 213)
- 2026-06-09: The previous question on the motion to commit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- 2026-06-09: Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to commit to the Committee on the Budget. (text: CR H4027)
- 2026-06-09: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2026-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 2.
- 2026-06-09: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335 and S. 2. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335, and S. 2 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit H.R. 8312 and H.R. 8464 and a motion to commit S. 2.
Bill Versions
- Secure America Act — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (5 pages)
- Secure America Act — issued 2026-06-05 — PDF (12 pages)
- Secure America Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (8 pages)