This Act establishes federal grant funds within DHS and DOJ to assist states with border security reinforcement and the prosecution and detention of criminal aliens, including reimbursement for eligible past expenditures.
Chip Roy
Representative
TX-21
The State Border Security Assistance Act establishes two new federal grant programs to support state and local efforts along the southern border. The first fund provides billions for physical barriers, surveillance technology, and border reinforcement activities. The second fund allocates resources for the investigation, prosecution, and detention of criminal non-citizens. Both programs offer reimbursement for eligible expenses dating back to January 20, 2021, and are scheduled to sunset in January 2029.
New Border Security Bill Allocates $14.5 Billion for Walls, Surveillance, and State-Led Enforcement
The State Border Security Assistance Act is less a new policy framework and more a massive, temporary funding injection for state and local border enforcement. It establishes two separate funds totaling $14.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2025, aimed at bolstering physical security and increasing the prosecution and detention of non-citizens. Crucially, both funds allow state and local governments to seek reimbursement for eligible work they’ve done as far back as January 20, 2021, essentially backfilling costs already incurred.
The $11 Billion Security Boost: Walls and Relocation
Section 2 creates the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), kicking off with an $11 billion appropriation. This money is earmarked for physical barriers—think walls, fences, and even buoys—as well as the surveillance technology needed to monitor the border. For a construction worker, this means a significant surge in federally funded infrastructure projects along the southern border. However, the bill introduces a provision allowing grants to be used for “moving aliens who are in the U.S. illegally out of small towns and population centers.” This broad language grants states significant discretion over where and how they relocate undocumented individuals, which could dramatically change the demographics and resource needs of receiving communities.
The $3.5 Billion Justice Fund: State-Level Enforcement
Section 3 establishes the State Criminal Alien Prosecution and Detention Fund, run by the Department of Justice (DOJ), starting with $3.5 billion. This fund is designed to cover state and local costs related to finding, arresting, prosecuting, and temporarily detaining non-citizens who are in the U.S. illegally or who have committed any federal, state, or local crime. If you’re a state or local law enforcement officer, this means federal funding is available to cover the expensive logistics—from vehicle maintenance to court costs—of increased arrests and prosecutions. The bill explicitly targets non-citizens who have committed any law violation, meaning even minor infractions could trigger a federally funded state enforcement action, potentially increasing the pressure on local court systems and detention facilities.
What the Sunset Clause Means for Taxpayers
Both funds are temporary, scheduled to terminate completely on January 20, 2029. This means the $14.5 billion is intended to be spent over the next four years, with any unspent or uncommitted funds reverting to the U.S. Treasury to reduce the national debt. For the average taxpayer, this bill represents a massive, upfront investment in border security and enforcement, totaling $14.5 billion. The short timeline suggests a rapid deployment of funds, likely leading to quick-turnaround construction contracts and enforcement initiatives, but the funding stream is not guaranteed beyond the 2029 sunset date, forcing states to plan for a potential drop-off in federal aid.