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
To limit the authority of U.S. Border Patrol personnel to their traditional border security duties, and for other purposes.
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.