Moolenaar Supports Legislation to Improve Northern Border Security

Congressman John Moolenaar supports the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act (H.R. 8734) to address escalating security concerns at the U.S.-Canada border.

“President Biden’s border policies have failed and there is an unprecedented level of illegal crossings occurring at the northern border. This legislation tells DHS that it must annually review the threats to the northern border and use its resources to protect the American people. Michigan is a border state, and this legislation will help make sure the northern border is secure,” said Moolenaar, a member of the Northern Border Security Caucus. 

The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act will: 

• Mandate DHS to conduct and submit a Northern Border Threat Analysis annually, ensuring up-to-date assessments of security risks.
• Require DHS to update its Northern Border Strategy within 90 days following the annual threat analysis and submit a justification if no updates are needed.
• Obligate DHS to provide classified briefings to Congress within 30 days after the threat analysis submission.
• Instruct DHS to develop performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of Air and Marine Operations (AMO) in securing the northern border.

The bill was introduced by Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY), and is also supported by Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Lisa McClain (R-MI), Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Randy Weber (R-TX), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Carol Miller (R-WV), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY). 

Key Background

Through the first seven months of the federal government’s 2024 fiscal year, 9,460 individuals have been apprehended at the northern border, compared to 4,849 through the same time in fiscal year 2023. In the last eight years, DHS has released one congressionally mandated threat analysis (2017) and updated its northern border strategy one time (2018).