The Southern Border Communities Relief Act of 2019

To provide resources for jurisdictions and organizations that have experienced a significant influx of migrant aliens, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the The Southern Border Communities Relief Act of 2019 2. Funding for humanitarian relief at the border (a) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for the emergency food and shelter program under title III of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11331 (b) Use Any amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a)— (1) shall be used only for providing assistance to aliens released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security; (2) notwithstanding sections 315 and 316(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11345 (3) shall be distributed by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board only to jurisdictions or local recipient organizations serving communities that have experienced a significant influx of such aliens; (4) may be used to reimburse such jurisdictions or local recipient organizations for costs incurred in providing services to such aliens on or after July 1, 2019; and (5) shall be distributed by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board in accordance with the findings in the report described in subsection (d). (c) Congressional notification Not later than 24 hours after the publication of a notice of funding opportunity for amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate of such publication. (d) Reporting Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the disbursement under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of amounts appropriated by Public Law 116–26 (1) an examination of whether projected costs and administrative costs, such as costs related to staffing, transportation, and applying for Federal funding, should be included in primary reimbursement eligibility for future disbursements; (2) an analysis of whether jurisdictions and local recipient organizations were reimbursed to the greatest extent practicable; (3) identification of challenges jurisdictions and local recipient organizations faced during the application process; and (4) recommendations on how to improve the reimbursement process to maximize full compensation. 3. Notice to appear; own recognizance release protocol (a) In general The release of an alien that the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines to release on that alien’s own recognizance and the issuance of a notice to appear to that alien shall be governed by a standard protocol, which the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall develop not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. The protocol shall include requirements for, to the greatest extent practicable and without delaying releases— (1) coordination with local nongovernmental organizations and units of local government on a release date and time; (2) the provision of a pre-release notice to nongovernmental organizations and units of local government not less than 8 hours before release; (3) releasing individuals in locations with robust nongovernmental organization networks, as determined by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with the Chief Patrol Agent of the respective U.S. Border Patrol sector, provided that other appropriate factors such as proximity and reasonable distribution of released individuals are also considered; (4) releasing individuals at facilities operated by nongovernmental organizations or units of local government; (5) the provision to organizations or units of local government to which individuals were released of documentation describing the date of the release, the number of individuals released, and other relevant information; (6) ensuring that individuals are released with any valid documentation with which they entered the United States; and (7) ensuring that notices to appear contain complete and accurate information, including— (A) a clear date and time for an immigration court hearing; (B) requirements needed to travel to the individuals’ stated destination; and (C) contact information, including an address to which individuals can receive notices regarding updates to immigration proceedings. (b) Implementation Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall implement the standard protocol developed under subsection (a). (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: The Southern Border Communities Relief Act of 2019 This bill authorizes assistance to jurisdictions and organizations providing services for aliens released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody. It also directs DHS to develop a standard protocol related to releasing aliens from custody and issuing notices to such aliens to appear in immigration proceedings. The assistance authorized under this bill shall (1) be for FY2021, FY2022, and FY2023; (2) only be used to provide assistance for aliens released from DHS custody; (3) be distributed by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board; and (4) only be given to jurisdictions that have experienced a significant influx of released aliens or organizations in such jurisdictions. The protocols related to releasing aliens and issuing notices to appear shall include requirements related to (1) coordinating with local governments and organizations on a release date and time, (2) releasing aliens in locations where organizations can provide assistance, and (3) ensuring that notices to appear contain complete and accurate information.