Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2023

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to certain border communities for the purpose of reimbursing such communities for expenses related to security measures along the United States land border with Mexico, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2023 2. Border community reimbursement grant program (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall make grants to certain border communities for the purpose of reimbursing such communities for expenses related to security measures along the United States land border with Mexico, including additional wages for local law enforcement providing security for such border. (b) Eligibility To be eligible for a grant under this section, a border community— (1) shall be a unit of local government located in the United States within 200 miles of the land border with Mexico; (2) shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (3) may not be a sanctuary jurisdiction. (c) Grant amount A grant made under subsection (a) may not exceed $500,000 for each fiscal year. (d) Limitation on use of funds Any grant awarded under this section may not be used to reimburse nonprofit organizations, to fund legal representation, or to provide educational, housing, food, or healthcare resources to an alien. (e) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2033, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 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 report that includes— (1) information relating to the— (A) use of each grant made under subsection (a); and (B) implementation of this section; and (2) any recommendations of the Secretary for improving the implementation of this section, including with respect to the amount of funding provided to each recipient of a grant under this section. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) The term sanctuary jurisdiction (A) violates section 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 ( 8 U.S.C. 1373 (B) restricts compliance with a detainer issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (or the Secretary’s designee); or (C) has any law or policy in effect that violates the immigration laws. (2) The term alien 8 U.S.C. 1101 (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2034 to carry out this section. (h) Conditional limitation on Secretary The Secretary of Homeland Security may not use Federal funds for travel, except for travel to and along the United States land border with Mexico if— (1) funds are appropriated to carry out this section; and (2) the Secretary fails to implement the program under this section before the date that is 180 days after the appropriation of such funds.

Summary: Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to make grants to certain border communities for expenses related to security measures along the southern border. Specifically, the local government of a community is eligible for a grant if it is located within 200 miles of the border and is not a sanctuary jurisdiction as defined by the bill. Additionally, no grant may be used to reimburse nonprofit organizations, fund legal representation, or provide educational, housing, food, or health care resources to a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law).