The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has released a report suggesting that Congress could incorporate border security measures, such as funding for the border wall, into the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. The report, titled "Reconciliation and Border Security," was published in December.
According to the TPPF report, the surge of illegal immigration since January 2021 has overwhelmed border security and strained communities across the nation. It further claims that this situation has "emboldened" cartels to expand their operations, contributing to crises like the fentanyl epidemic and raising concerns about terrorists crossing the border freely. The cartels have reportedly exploited this crisis to expand their human and drug trafficking activities.
The authors of the TPPF report argue that legislative solutions like the Secure the Border Act, or H.R. 2, aim to provide essential tools and resources to regain control of U.S. borders and protect American interests. However, they suggest that Congress can achieve more through the reconciliation bill. Reconciliation allows passage in the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes and is not subject to filibuster rules requiring 60 votes. The reconstruction of the border wall could be included in this process. "This system is designed to enhance the effectiveness of every Border Patrol agent by deterring, detecting, and preventing illegal border crossings, drug smuggling, and other illicit activities," according to TPPF. Technological infrastructure could also be funded without enacting new policy by redirecting existing funds.
TPPF suggests that programs like Migrant Protections Protocols (MPP), which have budgetary implications, could be included in reconciliation efforts. The MPP program was initially implemented during President Trump's first term and is commonly known as Remain in Mexico; it requires migrants awaiting asylum hearings to stay in Mexico rather than entering the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) estimates indicate that approximately 8.3 million migrants have entered the U.S. illegally since January 2021. This figure includes around 1.8 million "got-aways," individuals whom CBP was unable to detain or process.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit think tank based in Austin, Texas. Matt Eagan serves as its Director of Federal Affairs while Matthew Dickerson holds the position of Director of Budget Policy.
