Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2025," aims to significantly bolster staffing and resources for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It mandates the hiring, training, and assignment of 1,000 new CBP officers annually , subject to appropriations, until the total number meets the requirements of the Workload Staffing Model. The bill also authorizes the hiring of support staff, such as technicians, to perform non-law enforcement administrative functions, allowing officers to focus on their primary duties. To ensure accurate staffing, the Commissioner must consider various factors in the Workload Staffing Model, including seasonal surges , commercial forecasts, pre-pandemic travel volumes, and the need for increased outbound inspection operations. If the annual hiring targets are not met, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of CBP's hiring practices and submit a report to Congress detailing the reasons for the shortfalls. The Act also mandates a comprehensive report identifying critical needs at ports of entry. This report must detail necessary infrastructure improvements , advanced detection equipment to interdict opioids and other illegal drugs, and safety equipment to protect officers from hazardous exposures during inspections. These provisions are designed to enhance CBP's capabilities in securing the nation's borders and protecting its personnel. Furthermore, the bill establishes new reporting requirements for CBP operations. It mandates quarterly reports on temporary duty assignments , detailing the number of officers reassigned, their original and new locations, duration, costs, and their support for southern border operations. The Commissioner must also provide notice before redeployments and brief affected staff on plans to mitigate vulnerabilities. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require more detailed reporting on CBP agreements, focusing on their economic and security benefits, and mandates an annual report on staffing progress and resource optimization.
This legislation, titled the "Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2025," aims to significantly bolster staffing and resources for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It mandates the hiring, training, and assignment of 1,000 new CBP officers annually , subject to appropriations, until the total number meets the requirements of the Workload Staffing Model. The bill also authorizes the hiring of support staff, such as technicians, to perform non-law enforcement administrative functions, allowing officers to focus on their primary duties. To ensure accurate staffing, the Commissioner must consider various factors in the Workload Staffing Model, including seasonal surges , commercial forecasts, pre-pandemic travel volumes, and the need for increased outbound inspection operations. If the annual hiring targets are not met, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of CBP's hiring practices and submit a report to Congress detailing the reasons for the shortfalls. The Act also mandates a comprehensive report identifying critical needs at ports of entry. This report must detail necessary infrastructure improvements , advanced detection equipment to interdict opioids and other illegal drugs, and safety equipment to protect officers from hazardous exposures during inspections. These provisions are designed to enhance CBP's capabilities in securing the nation's borders and protecting its personnel. Furthermore, the bill establishes new reporting requirements for CBP operations. It mandates quarterly reports on temporary duty assignments , detailing the number of officers reassigned, their original and new locations, duration, costs, and their support for southern border operations. The Commissioner must also provide notice before redeployments and brief affected staff on plans to mitigate vulnerabilities. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require more detailed reporting on CBP agreements, focusing on their economic and security benefits, and mandates an annual report on staffing progress and resource optimization.