H.R. 3548

Border Security for America Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southern border and develop infrastructure and technology to deter illegal border activity in high traffic areas, (2) deploy additional capabilities to specified border sectors, (3) submit a plan for using independent verification resources for border security technology, (4) establish a National Border Security Advisory Committee, (5) implement the Border Security Deployment Program, (6) establish a biometric exit data system, (7) submit a southern border threat analysis, and (8) begin eradicating the carrizo cane plant and any salt cedar along the Rio Grande River.

The bill provides for: (1) U.S. Border Patrol personnel increases and infrastructure improvements, (2) National Guard and Department of Defense border assistance, (3) Tunnel Task Forces to stop border tunnel breaches, and (4) a demonstration to deploy a rapid non-intrusive passenger vehicle inspection system at not fewer than three high-entry land ports along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bill: (1) prohibits federal agency restrictions on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities on federal land within 100 miles of the southern border; and (2) requires increases in immigration and law enforcement personnel and agricultural specialists, CBP training and continuing education, and electronic passport screening and biometric matching at airports of entry.

The Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 is amended to provide for hiring flexibility.

Operation Stonegarden is established as a DHS program to provide border security grants.

This bill authorizes DHS to construct new ports of entry along the northern and southern borders.