[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3571 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3571
To limit the authority of U.S. Border Patrol personnel to their
traditional border security duties, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 18, 2025
Mr. Murphy (for himself and Mr. Schiff) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To limit the authority of U.S. Border Patrol personnel to their
traditional border security duties, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Keeping Our Agents on the Line
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Senate finds the following:
(1) For many years, representatives of the U.S. Border
Patrol have requested to return to their traditional border
security duties on the line to avoid certain administrative
tasks, such as processing asylum seekers and children.
(2) During 2025, U.S. Border Patrol--
(A) has apparently been delegated nationwide
interior arrest authority;
(B) as a result of nationwide interior arrest
authority, has duplicated the functions and purpose of
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while failing
to receive the commensurate training;
(C) has made numerous arrests in the interior of
the United States, many without a judicially authorized
warrant, including arrests of United States citizens;
and
(D) is no longer limiting its patrols within a
reasonable distance from the line at the United States
land border.
(3) Many violent encounters recorded by United States
citizens and residents have involved U.S. Border Patrol agents
who--
(A) are primarily trained to patrol the line at the
United States border; and
(B) are not sufficiently trained to manage complex
criminal investigations typically handled by other
Federal law enforcement agencies.
(4) Despite this lack of training, U.S. Border Patrol
agents have been roaming the interior of the United States and
arresting United States residents, including United States
citizens.
SEC. 3. REAFFIRMING THE 25-MILE LIMITATION FOR U.S. BORDER PATROL
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Immigration officers and employees of u.s. border
patrol.--The term ``immigration officers and employees of U.S.
Border Patrol'' means any employee, contractor, or detailee who
performs services for U.S. Border Patrol.
(2) Reasonable distance.--The term ``reasonable distance''
means a distance not greater than 25 miles from any United
States international land border or territorial sea.
(b) Special Rules for U.S. Border Patrol.--No authority, power, or
permission granted under section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1357), may be exercised by immigration officers and
employees of U.S. Border Patrol beyond a reasonable distance.
(c) Prohibition on Delegation.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, immigration officers and employees of U.S. Border Patrol may
not be delegated, deputized, or granted any authority to operate beyond
a reasonable distance unless such authority is granted based upon--
(1) a lawful request made by an appropriate State or local
official to an immigration officer or employee of U.S. Border
Patrol, in accordance with State or local law, to assist in an
emergency situation in which lives are in immediate or imminent
danger; or
(2) the President's declaration of a major disaster under
section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
SEC. 4. CHECKPOINT AND ARREST DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.
(a) Checkpoint Data.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border
Protection shall--
(1) establish milestones for determining the feasibility of
a checkpoint performance model that allows U.S. Border Patrol
to compare apprehensions and seizures to the level of illegal
activity passing undetected through the checkpoint;
(2) post the findings and supporting data collected
pursuant to paragraph (1) on a publicly accessible website not
less frequently than annually;
(3) establish internal controls for managing the oversight
of the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of checkpoint
performance data; and
(4) publicly report on the total number of those subjected
to an encounter at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint,
disaggregated by the number of United States citizens, lawful
permanent residents, and aliens.
(b) Arrest Data.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border
Protection shall--
(1) document and publicly report on the number of agents
operating in the interior of the United States;
(2) provide detailed information regarding each such
agent's training with respect to conducting searches and
seizures in compliance with the Fourth Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States; and
(3) document and publicly report on the disposition of each
interaction such agent has while in the interior with a United
States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or another alien,
including whether such person was arrested, detained, stopped,
or charged with a crime or a civil offense.
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