U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dick Durbin have joined eight colleagues to introduce a bill that focuses on addressing immediate southern border needs.
The Border Management, Security, and Assistance Act of 2023 would strengthens border security, establish consequences for unlawful entry, enhance lawful processes, support American communities, and aid frontline personnel.
“Congress must act to provide frontline border security personnel with the resources they need to safely and effectively carry out their challenging mission,” Peters, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman, said. “This bill will provide the resources and authorities needed to help secure the border, prevent illegal activities like drug trafficking, efficiently process asylum applications, and swiftly remove people whose applications are denied or are otherwise prohibited from remaining in the country.”
Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Congress has failed to fix the nation’s immigration system while communities, businesses and frontline law-enforcement officials are facing the consequences of congressional inaction.
“I have long urged my Republican colleagues to come to the table and negotiate on a bipartisan basis to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” Durbin said. “But American communities and federal officials need our assistance today, and this proposal will provide the resources needed to secure our border and meet the urgent needs of our communities. I hope my colleagues—Democrats and Republicans—support this proposal and show the American people that we can move past the partisan bickering to support frontline officials and American communities.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Angus King (I-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).