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S 542 114th Congress Senate

Counterterrorism Border Security Enhancement Act

Official title: A bill to enhance the homeland security of the United States, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 30, 2015 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAfghanistanAfricaAsia
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Border security and unlawful immigrationCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityEspionage and treasonEuropeGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHomeland securityIraqLibyaMiddle EastPakistanSyriaTerrorism
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 24, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 24, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 24, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Counterterrorism Border Security Enhancement Act

Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct an assessment (which shall focus on the visa waiver program requirements for travelers and program countries) and report to Congress regarding: (1) needed border security and entry procedures improvements in response to homeland threats from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and (2) growing participation by U.S. and European nationals as foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq and in terrorist activity.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) expand pre-travel clearance procedures; and (2) increase information-sharing requirements, including suspension of countries not fully cooperating with such requirements.

Directs the Department of State to submit a plan to Congress for training consular officers on visa interviewing techniques that emphasizes counterterrorism efforts.

Directs DHS, the State Department, and the Attorney General (DOJ) to submit to Congress a plan for: (1) increasing the scrutiny of U.S. citizens who have recently traveled to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Libya; and (2) enhancing DOJ and other federal agency capabilities to investigate, arrest, and prosecute U.S. citizens suspected of engaging in terrorist acts or involvement with a terrorist organization.

Authorizes the State Department to revoke and confiscate any passport issued to a U.S. citizen who is suspected of, or who has demonstrated an intent to engage in, terrorist activities.

Amends the federal criminal code to include adherence to terrorist organizations within the definition of "treason."

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 542: Counterterrorism Border Security Enhancement Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-542/
MLA
"S. 542: Counterterrorism Border Security Enhancement Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-542/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 542, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-542/.
Markdown link
[S. 542: Counterterrorism Border Security Enhancement Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-542/)
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