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H.R. 2083 111th Congress House

Border Sovereignty and Protection Act

Official title: To secure smuggling routes on the U.S.-Mexico border, better prevent the smuggling of narcotics and weapons across the border, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 19, 2009 See on congress.gov
Immigration ArizonaBorder security and unlawful immigrationCaliforniaCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
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Criminal procedure and sentencingDrug trafficking and controlled substancesFirearms and explosivesForeign laborGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsLatin AmericaLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersMexicoNew MexicoSmuggling and traffickingState and local government operationsTexasViolent crime
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 26, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
May 26, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
May 21, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
May 4, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
Apr 23, 2009
Referred to House Education and Labor
Apr 23, 2009
Referred to House Homeland Security
Apr 23, 2009
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 23, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Apr 23, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 26, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Border Sovereignty and Protection Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require that: (1) at least 350 miles of fencing along the southwest border be two layers of reinforced fencing separated by a Border Patrol access road; (2) such work shall be completed within one year of enactment of this Act; and (3) fencing existing as of April 1, 2009, shall not be considered in meeting the mileage requirement.

Gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) full authority, concurrent with that of the Department of Justice, to investigate violations of the Controlled Substances Act or the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act.

Amends the federal criminal code to provide for a fine and/or at least 15 years imprisonment for firearms smuggling in connection with a crime of violence or drug trafficking.

Makes a state or local subdivision ineligible for state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) funding if such state or subdivision: (1) has in effect any law, policy, or procedure prohibiting or restricting communication with the Immigration and Naturalization Service or other government entity regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status; or (2) prohibits state or local law enforcement officials from gathering information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status.

Sets forth provisions regarding the expedited removal of: (1) inadmissible arriving aliens; and (2) criminal aliens.

Makes the basic pilot employment verification (E-Verify) program permanent.

Sets forth the following E-Verify compliance schedule: (1) one year from enactment of this Act for federal agencies, federal contractors, and employers of more than 250 persons; (2) two years from enactment for employers of 100 or more persons; (3) three years from enactment for employers of 30 or more persons; and (4) four years from enactment for all employers.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2083: Border Sovereignty and Protection Act. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2083/
MLA
"H.R. 2083: Border Sovereignty and Protection Act." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2083/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2083, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2083/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2083: Border Sovereignty and Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-2083/)
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