February 5, 2025
Mr. Cloud (for himself, Mr. Babin, Mr. Biggs of Arizona, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Donalds, Mr. Downing, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Gosar, Ms. Mace, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Rouzer, Ms. Van Duyne, Mr. Schmidt, and Mr. Webster of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To prohibit the Department of Justice from bringing a civil action against a State under section 9 or 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899, for certain border security measures, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act
or the PATROL Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on civil action for certain border security measures
(a) In general
The Attorney General may not bring or maintain a civil action (including an action that is pending on the date of enactment of this Act) under section 9 or 10 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401; 403), against a State for any measure undertaken by the State to build, construct, erect, or otherwise install a barrier along the international border of the State for the purpose of—
(1)
preventing aliens from entering the State in violation of the immigration laws; or
(2)
protecting the territory of the State.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Alien
The term alien
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) Barrier
The term barrier
means any physical structure intended to secure the border, including a wall, fence, or floating buoy.
(3) Immigration laws
The term immigration laws
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).