Homeland Security Committee, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a grant program aimed at reimbursing certain border communities for expenses incurred due to security measures along the United States land border with Mexico. These expenses can include additional wages for local law enforcement personnel providing border security. The program is contingent upon the availability of appropriations. To qualify for a grant, a community must be a unit of local government situated within 200 miles of the U.S.-Mexico land border and submit an application to the Secretary. Crucially, eligible communities may not be a sanctuary jurisdiction , defined as one that violates federal immigration law, restricts compliance with detainers, or has policies violating immigration laws. Each grant is capped at $500,000 per fiscal year . Funds from these grants are explicitly prohibited from being used to reimburse nonprofit organizations, fund legal representation, or provide educational, housing, food, or healthcare resources to an alien. The Secretary, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is required to submit annual reports to Congress through 2035 detailing the use of grants and recommending improvements. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036 to carry out this program.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Immigration
Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2128| House
| Updated: 3/14/2025
This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a grant program aimed at reimbursing certain border communities for expenses incurred due to security measures along the United States land border with Mexico. These expenses can include additional wages for local law enforcement personnel providing border security. The program is contingent upon the availability of appropriations. To qualify for a grant, a community must be a unit of local government situated within 200 miles of the U.S.-Mexico land border and submit an application to the Secretary. Crucially, eligible communities may not be a sanctuary jurisdiction , defined as one that violates federal immigration law, restricts compliance with detainers, or has policies violating immigration laws. Each grant is capped at $500,000 per fiscal year . Funds from these grants are explicitly prohibited from being used to reimburse nonprofit organizations, fund legal representation, or provide educational, housing, food, or healthcare resources to an alien. The Secretary, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is required to submit annual reports to Congress through 2035 detailing the use of grants and recommending improvements. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036 to carry out this program.