Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) is leading the charge among Republican lawmakers to cement Trump-era immigration policies into law, warning that failing to do so will leave room for future administrations to weaken border security.
The Permanent Trump Secure Border Act would codify President Donald Trump's border and deportation policies into law, making key enforcement measures more difficult for future administrations to reverse. Specifically, it would enact Trump-era asylum policies, tighten border enforcement, expand executive authority at the border, revise rules for unaccompanied minors and family detention, increase penalties for visa overstays and limit immigration parole.
“Today, we consider the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, which closes statutory loopholes that allow the Biden-Harris administration to flood our country with millions of illegal aliens,” Rep. Roy said, kicking off a meeting with the House Judiciary Committee earlier this week.
Rep. Roy said previous administrations of both parties have abused “statutory authority” to allow large numbers of unauthorized immigrants to enter the country. The effects of this under President Joe Biden’s administration are still being felt, he said.
“As we saw under the Biden-Harris administration, the status quo simply didn't work, and for four years, these policies incentivized hundreds of thousands of aliens who are part of family units to travel to the southwest border,” Rep. Roy said.
Because Trump’s border policies are not codified into law, Rep. Roy said future administrations could exploit existing loopholes.
“When President Trump's administration's actions to secure the border go away, the border could once again be abused,” he warned.
The Congressman’s move to introduce this bill is one of several initiatives he has led to strengthen border security in recent months.
Ahead of this week’s vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), he has urged Republicans and House Speaker and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to include stricter immigration provisions in the bill, even refusing to advance House legislation earlier this month until Rep. Johnson put forward a stronger border security plan.
But Rep. Roy’s push for stricter immigration enforcement is not new, as he was among the lawmakers who helped pass the Secure the Border Act through the House in 2023.
“We did it then, and we can do it today,” Rep. Roy said. “Our nation's future depends on it.”
