Secure and Succeed Act of 2018
Border Security Trust Fund
Strengthens Border and Entry Security
• $25 billion in border trust fund for the completion of a 10-year border security plan, including tactical infrastructure, detection technology, personnel, and port of entry improvement. Includes additional resources and security improvements for the Northern Border.
Additional Border Security Measures
• Requires DHS to achieve and maintain situational awareness (100% surveillance) and operational control (ability to interdict illegal traffic) of the Southern Border. Applies to current and future administrations.
• National Guard/Operation Phalanx/ SCAAP/Operation Stone Garden
• Additional CBP/ICE Agents/Officers and Other Law Enforcement Personnel
Border Security Authorities
• Ends Catch and Release.
• Increases penalties for human smuggling/makes it easier to remove smugglers.
• Enacts Kate’s Law to increase penalties for multiple illegal entries/unlawful border crossings.
• Provisions to stop fentanyl smuggling.
• Addresses the unaccompanied alien children humanitarian crisis by giving DHS and immigration courts the authority and resources to conduct expedited immigration court hearings for these children.
• Updates inadmissibility/removability grounds for drug traffickers, gang members, sex offenders, multiple DUI offenders, human traffickers, terrorists, and violent and dangerous felons.
• Deters Visa overstay with expedited removal, subject to 30 day grace period.
• Ends the release of thousands of dangerous criminal aliens every year (Zadvydas Fix).
• Permanently authorizes voluntary E-verify program.
Reallocates Diversity Visa Lottery
Reallocates the 55,000 visas in the Diversity Visa Lottery to reducing and eliminating the existing family- based and employment-based immigration backlogs
Provides Permanent Solution for DACA recipients
Estimated 1.8 million people. Earned path to citizenship.
• 12 years. 2 years credit for currently enrolled DACA recipients.
Criteria:
• Obtained a high school diploma or equivalent (if over 18 years of age.)
• Arrived in the U.S. before 16, prior to June 15, 2012. Was under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012. Same standards used by the Obama Administration for DACA.
• Passes strict criminal background and good moral character checks.
• Signs a conditional departure order that may be enforced if they violate certain terms of their status.
• If 18 or older, pursue one or a combination of three tracks: (1) Serve in the Military; (2) Pursue a postsecondary or vocational degree; or (3) Maintain full time gainful employment.
• Conditional status revoked for criminal behavior or failure to meet eligibility criteria.
Reforms Extended-family Chain Migration
•Reforms family-based immigration to place a greater emphasis on the nuclear family, limiting family-based immigrant visas to spouses and unmarried children under 18 years old.
•Grandfathers all immigrants who are waiting in line for a pending family-based petition.
•Allows parents of U.S. Citizens (approximately 150,000 per year) to receive non-immigrant visas to enter the
United States for a renewable 5-year period. Visas do not provide a work authorization.
•Family-based immigration reforms for other classes (siblings, adult children) would not take effect until clearance of existing backlogs— giving Congress years to enact merit-based reforms.