Border Zone Reasonableness Restoration Act of 2018

To provide oversight of the border zone in which Federal agents may conduct vehicle checkpoints and stops and enter private land without a warrant, and to make technical corrections. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Border Zone Reasonableness Restoration Act of 2018 2. Oversight of power to enter private land and stop vehicles without a warrant (a) In general Section 287(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1357(a) (1) in paragraph (5), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively; (3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; (4) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as redesignated— (A) by inserting (1) Any officer (B) by striking Service Department of Homeland Security (C) by striking Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security (D) by inserting , to the extent permitted by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States warrant (5) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (C), as redesignated, and inserting the following: (C) within a distance of 25 air miles from any external boundary of the United States, or such distance as may be prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2), to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railway car, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States; provided that no vehicle may be stopped at a fixed checkpoint under this subparagraph beyond a distance of 10 air miles from any such external boundary without reasonable suspicion that an individual in such vehicle is inadmissible or otherwise not entitled to enter or remain in the United States; (D) within a distance of 10 air miles from any such external boundary, or such distance as may be prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2), to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States; ; and (6) by inserting after the flush text following subparagraph (F), as redesignated, the following: (2) (A) (i) The Secretary of Homeland Security may establish for a sector or district a distance less than or greater than 25 air miles, but in no case greater than 100 air miles, as the maximum distance from an external boundary of the United States in which the authority described in paragraph (1)(C) may be exercised, if the Secretary certifies that such a distance is necessary for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States, and justified by the considerations listed in subparagraph (B). (ii) The Secretary of Homeland Security may establish for a sector or district a distance less than or greater than 10 air miles, but in no case greater than 25 air miles, as the maximum distance from an external boundary of the United States in which the authority described in paragraph (1)(D) may be exercised, if the Secretary certifies that such a distance is necessary for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States, and justified by the considerations listed in subparagraph (B). (B) In making the certifications described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider, as appropriate, land topography, confluence of arteries of transportation leading from external boundaries, density of population, possible inconvenience to the traveling public, types of conveyances used, reliable information as to movements of persons effecting illegal entry into the United States, effects on private property and quality of life for relevant communities and residents, consultations with affected State, local, and tribal governments, including the governor of any relevant State, and other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate. (C) A certification made under subparagraph (A) shall be valid for a period of 5 years and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods. If the Secretary finds at any time that circumstances no longer justify a certification, the Secretary shall terminate the certification. (D) The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives (i) the number of certifications made under subparagraph (A); and (ii) for each such certification, the sector or district and reasonable distance prescribed, the period of time the certification has been in effect, and the factors justifying the certification. . (b) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Authorities without a warrant Section 287(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1357(a) (A) by inserting (3) Under regulations (B) by striking paragraph (5)(B) subparagraph (F)(ii) (C) by striking (i) (A) (D) by striking (ii) establish (B) establish (E) by striking (iii) require (C) require (F) by striking clause (ii), and (iv) subparagraph (B), and (D) (2) Conforming amendment Section 287(e) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1357(e) paragraph (3) of subsection (a), subsection (a)(1)(D),

Summary: Border Zone Reasonableness Restoration Act of 2018 This bill revises the border zone area in which Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers may take certain immigration-related actions without a warrant. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to permit DHS officers to take the following actions without a warrant in order to patrol the border and prevent the illegal entry of persons: board and search any vessel within U.S. territorial waters and any railway car, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle within 25 air miles from an external U.S. boundary (a vehicle may not be stopped at a fixed checkpoint beyond 10 air miles from such boundary without reasonable suspicion that an occupant is illegally in the United States); and access private lands, but not dwellings, within 10 air miles from such boundary. DHS may establish, and shall certify to Congress, that: (1) a distance of up to 100 air miles is required in a sector for conveyance searches, and (2) a distance of up to 25 air miles is required in a sector for private land access. In making such certifications DHS shall consider reasons such as land topography, transportation, or consultations with state, local, and tribal governments.