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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 29 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>
                                                         Calendar No. 5
119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 29

  Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President of the United 
 States possesses legal authority under existing law to take immediate 
   and necessary action to secure the southwest border of the United 
                                States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 21, 2025

  Mr. Paul, from the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
 Affairs, reported the following original resolution; which was placed 
                            on the calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President of the United 
 States possesses legal authority under existing law to take immediate 
   and necessary action to secure the southwest border of the United 
                                States.

Whereas, since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, nearly 11,000,000 
        individuals have been encountered attempting to enter the United States 
        unlawfully;
Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection has--

    (1) apprehended nearly 400 suspected terrorists attempting to enter the 
United States illegally between ports of entry;

    (2) encountered an additional 1,587 suspected terrorists at United 
States ports of entry; and

    (3) identified more than 1,700,000 special interest aliens;

Whereas, since October 1, 2021, more than 120,000 illegal aliens with criminal 
        warrants or convictions were encountered along United States borders, 
        including--

    (1) more than 4,800 illegal aliens who were convicted of assault, 
battery, or domestic violence;

    (2) more than 3,300 illegal aliens who were convicted of theft-related 
offenses;

    (3) nearly 1,400 illegal aliens who were convicted of sexual offenses; 
and

    (4) nearly 200 illegal aliens who were convicted of homicide or 
manslaughter;

Whereas, under section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
        U.S.C. 1225(b)(2)(C)), the Department of Homeland Security is authorized 
        to immediately return certain applicants for admission or asylum to a 
        contiguous foreign territory in accordance with the memorandum from the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security entitled ``Policy Guidance for 
        Implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols'', dated January 25, 
        2019, or any substantially similar policy changes issued or taken on or 
        after January 20, 2025, whether set forth in a memorandum, executive 
        order, regulation, directive, or by other action;
Whereas, under section 212(f) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), the President has 
        been given broad authority to suspend the entry of all aliens, or to 
        impose any restrictions upon the entry of aliens the President deems 
        appropriate, allowing the President to bar the entry of nationals whose 
        admission could be detrimental to the interests of the United States;
Whereas, under section 208(b)(2)(C) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(C)), the 
        Department of Homeland Security is authorized to promulgate additional 
        limitations and conditions under which an alien shall be ineligible for 
        asylum, including making asylum seekers ineligible if they enter or 
        attempt to enter the United States across the southern border without 
        first applying for protection from persecution or torture in at least 1 
        country, other than the alien's country of citizenship, nationality, or 
        last lawful habitual residence, through which the alien transited en 
        route to the United States; and
Whereas the ``Remain in Mexico'' policy (also known as the Migrant Protection 
        Protocols) was an effective measure that enhanced border security, 
        helped deter illegal entries, and made the United States safer: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) affirms that the President has the authority under the 
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), 
        including sections 208(a)(2)(A), 212(f), and 235(b)(2)(C) (8 
        U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(A), 1182(f), and 1225(b)(2)(C)) to take 
        action to secure the southern border and protect the 
        sovereignty and security of the United States; and
            (2) urges the President and the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security to utilize all available statutory authority to 
        expeditiously reinstate or implement policies and programs that 
        will promote orderly and lawful entry at the border, deter 
        illegal immigration, and protect national security, including 
        by--
                    (A) immediately removing illegal aliens;
                    (B) immediately returning illegal aliens to Mexico;
                    (C) reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols 
                (commonly known as ``Remain in Mexico'') or any 
                substantially similar policy;
                    (D) ending the catch-and-release policy;
                    (E) ending abuses of humanitarian parole authority;
                    (F) detaining inadmissible aliens;
                    (G) making illegal aliens ineligible for asylum;
                    (H) using expedited removal authority; and
                    (I) eliminating taxpayer-funded benefits for 
                illegal aliens.

                                                         Calendar No. 5

119th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               S. RES. 29

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

  Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President of the United 
 States possesses legal authority under existing law to take immediate 
   and necessary action to secure the southwest border of the United 
                                States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            January 21, 2025

  Reported the following original resolution; which was placed on the 
                                calendar
```