Border Visibility and Security Act

To ensure operational control of the southwest border, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Border Visibility and Security Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Commissioner The term Commissioner (2) Operational control The term operational control 8 U.S.C. 1701 Public Law 109–367 (3) Secretary The term Secretary (4) Situational awareness The term situational awareness Public Law 114–328 3. Strengthening the requirements for border security technology along the southern border Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (division C of Public Law 104–208 8 U.S.C. 1103 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by inserting and border technology in the vicinity of (B) by striking illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United Sates , impede, and detect illegal activity and entry into the United States (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in the heading by striking road improvements navigable roads (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Additional navigable roads along the southwest border (A) Navigable road defined In this subsection, the term navigable road (B) Navigable roads In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall construct a navigable road along not less than 700 miles of the southwest border where most practical and effective to gain operational control of the southwest border. (C) Priority areas In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (i) identify the 700 miles, or other mileage determined by the Secretary, along the southwest border where a navigable road would be most practical and effective in deterring smugglers and aliens attempting to gain illegal entry into the United States; and (ii) not later than December 31, 2020, complete construction of a navigable road along the miles identified under clause (i). (D) Consultation (i) In general In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and property owners in the United States to minimize the impact on the environment, culture, commerce, and quality of life for the communities and residents located near the sites at which navigable roads are to be constructed. (ii) Savings provision Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to— (I) create or negate any right of action for a State, local government, Indian Tribe, or other person or entity affected by this subsection; or (II) affect the eminent domain laws of the United States or of any State. ; (3) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting and, pursuant to subsection (d), the installation, operation, and maintenance of technology, barriers and roads (4) by adding at the end the following new subsections: (e) Installation, operation, and maintenance of technology (1) In general Not later than January 20, 2021, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in carrying out subsection (a), shall deploy the most practical and effective technology available along the United States border for achieving situational awareness and operational control of the border. (2) Technology defined In this subparagraph, the term technology (A) radar surveillance systems; (B) Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radars (VADER); (C) 3-dimensional, seismic acoustic detection and ranging border tunneling detection technology; (D) sensors; (E) unmanned cameras; (F) man-portable and mobile vehicle-mounted unmanned aerial vehicles; and (G) any other devices, tools, or systems found to be more effective or advanced than those specified in subparagraphs (A) through (F). (f) Definitions In this section, the term situational awareness Public Law 114–328 . 4. Comprehensive southern border strategy (a) In general Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a comprehensive Southern border strategy. (b) Contents The strategy submitted under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a list of known physical barriers, technologies, tools, and other devices that can be used to achieve and maintain situational awareness and operational control along the southern border; (2) a projected per mile cost estimate for each physical barrier, technology, tool, and other device included on the list required under paragraph (1); (3) a detailed account of which type of physical barrier, technology, tool, or other device the Department believes is necessary to achieve and maintain situational awareness and operational control for each liner mile of the southern border; (4) an explanation for why such physical barrier, technology, tool, or other device was chosen to achieve and maintain situational awareness and operational control for each linear mile of the southern border, including— (A) the methodology used to determine which type of physical barrier, technology, tool, or other device was chosen for such linear mile; (B) an examination of existing manmade and natural barriers for each linear mile of the southern border; and (C) the information collected and evaluated from— (i) the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection Sector Chief; (ii) the Joint Task Force Commander; (iii) the appropriate State Governor; (iv) local law enforcement officials; (v) private property owners; and (vi) other affected stakeholders; (5) a per mile cost calculation for each linear mile of the southern border given the type of physical barrier, technology, tool, or other device chosen to achieve and maintain operational control for each linear mile; and (6) a cost justification for each time a more expensive physical barrier, technology, tool, or other device is chosen over a less expensive option, as established by the per mile cost estimates required in paragraph (2). 5. Eradication of cane along the Rio Grande river (a) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary, including through cooperation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, to permanently eradicate the cane, or Arundo donax, that grows along the Rio Grande river. (b) Prohibition on additional funding No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 6. Funding (a) Use of certain forfeited criminal proceeds for border security measures Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any illegally obtained profits resulting from any criminal drug trafficking enterprise led by Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera (commonly known as El Chapo (b) Use of forfeited criminal proceeds of other convicted cartel members Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds that are criminally forfeited to the United States Government as the result of a felony conviction in a Federal district court of a member of a drug cartel—an individual engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise involving knowingly and intentionally distributing a controlled substance, intending and knowing that such substance would be unlawfully imported into the United States from a place outside of the United States—shall be reserved for security measures along the border between the United States and Mexico, including to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, for the purpose of furthering the Nation’s security.

Summary: Border Visibility and Security Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to install surveillance technology and take other actions with respect to the U.S.-Mexico border. DHS shall deploy the most practical and effective technology available to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border. Such technology may include radar surveillance systems, tunnel detection technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles. DHS is authorized to waive legal requirements as necessary in order to implement the necessary surveillance technology along the border. DHS shall also (1) construct a navigable road along at least 700 miles of the southwest border, (2) permanently eradicate certain foliage that grows along the Rio Grande river, and (3) report to Congress a comprehensive strategy about the barriers and technologies needed to secure operational control along the border. Drug cartel funds that have been criminally forfeited to the U.S. government shall be reserved for security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border.