Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act
Summary
S. 850, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act, would amend existing law to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct more frequent and comprehensive reviews of security along the northern border with Canada. If enacted, the bill would require DHS to submit a threat analysis assessing terrorism and criminal threats every three years, starting in September 2025, and to update its northern border security strategy every five years beginning in September 2026. The threat analysis would include detailed assessments of apprehension trends and demographic changes at different border sectors.
The bill would also direct DHS to develop performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of air and maritime security operations at the northern border, with these measures to be completed within 180 days of enactment. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate. According to the Congressional Budget Office, implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period, and no new funding would be authorized—existing resources would be used to carry out the requirements.