{"format":1,"id":"118-hr-2","congress":118,"number":"H.R. 2","kind":"bill","group":"bills","title":"Secure the Border Act of 2023","title_source":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","official_title":"To secure the borders of the United States, and for other purposes.","titles":[{"type":"Official Title as Introduced","title":"To secure the borders of the United States, and for other purposes."},{"type":"Display Title","title":"Secure the Border Act of 2023"},{"type":"Short Title(s) from PCS (Placed on Senate Calendar) bill text","title":"Secure the Border Act of 2023"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Introduced","title":"Secure the Border Act of 2023"},{"type":"Short Title(s) as Passed House","title":"Secure the Border Act of 2023"}],"outcome":"passed_house","law_number":null,"introduced":"2023-05-02","chambers":{"house":{"status":"roll_call","date":"2023-05-11","vote":{"id":"118-2023-h209","question":"On Passage","title":"Secure the Border Act","result":"Passed","yea":219,"nay":213,"present":0,"not_voting":3,"source":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2023/roll209.xml"}},"senate":{"status":"na","date":null,"vote":null}},"president":{"status":"na","date":null},"vice_president_tie_breaker":null,"latest_action":{"text":"Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.","date":"2024-12-17"},"nominees":null,"amendments":[],"other_votes":[{"chamber":"house","date":"2023-05-11","question":"On Motion to Recommit","title":"Secure the Border Act","result":"Failed","yea":211,"nay":221,"present":0,"not_voting":3,"kind":"procedural","source":"https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2023/roll208.xml"}],"crs_summary":{"date":"2023-05-11","stage":"Passed House","blocks":[{"k":"h","t":"Secure the Border Act of 2023"},{"k":"p","t":"This bill makes various changes to immigration law, including by imposing limits on asylum eligibility and requiring employers to use an electronic system to verify the employment eligibility of new employees."},{"k":"p","t":"DIVISION A--BORDER SECURITY"},{"k":"p","t":"This division requires certain actions related to border security."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 102) This section requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities related to constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 103) This section imposes additional requirements on DHS related to the construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. For example, the bill requires DHS to construct a border wall (including related infrastructure and technology) along at least 900 miles of that border, whereas currently DHS is required to have at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along that border."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also requires DHS to waive all legal requirements necessary to ensure the expeditious construction of the border barriers, whereas currently DHS is authorized to waive such requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 104) This section requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit a strategic five-year technology investment plan to Congress."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 105) This section imposes certain documentation and acquisition-related standards on major border security technology acquisitions, generally those that cost at least $100 million based on FY2023 constant dollars."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 106) This section requires CBP to (1) ensure that each CBP officer or agent is equipped with a two-way communication device, (2) fully implement the Border Security Deployment Program (a border surveillance program), and (3) upgrade license plate readers as needed at ports of entry along the northern and southern borders."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 107) This section authorizes retention bonuses for eligible frontline U.S. Border Patrol law enforcement agents."},{"k":"p","t":"The section also requires CBP to maintain an active duty presence of at least 22,000 full-time equivalent Border Patrol agents by September 30, 2025."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 108) This section modifies a provision that exempts certain applicants for CBP law enforcement positions from having to take a polygraph test. For example, this section provides this exemption to certain law enforcement officers, whereas currently the waiver is only available to eligible veterans."},{"k":"p","t":"The waiver provision established by this section is not applicable during periods when CBP certifies that it has met certain staffing requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 109) This section requires CBP to implement a workload staffing model for the Border Patrol and CBP Air and Marine Operations."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 110) This section provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, a program which provides grants to law enforcement agencies that are (1) in a state with an international land or maritime border, and (2) involved in an active CBP operation coordinated through the Border Patrol."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 111) This section establishes certain requirements for CBP Air and Marine Operations. For example, CBP must ensure that its Air and Marine Operations (1) carry out at least 110,000 flight hours each year, and (2) operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) on the southern border 24 hours a day."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 112) This section requires DHS to hire contractors to begin eradicating certain plant growth along the Rio Grande River that impedes border security operations."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 113) This section requires the Border Patrol to issue a Border Patrol Strategic Plan to enhance border security."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 115) This section prohibits DHS from (1) processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving in between ports of entry; (2) providing funds to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that facilitate or encourage unlawful activity; or (3) providing funds to NGOs that provide certain services, such as lodging or immigration legal services, to inadmissible non-U.S. nationals who enter the United States."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 116) This section requires DHS to ensure that CBP is, within 14 days of this bill's enactment, fully compliant with federal DNA and biometric collection requirements at U.S. land borders."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 117) This section requires CBP to periodically review and update, as necessary, manuals and policies related to inspections at ports of entry to ensure the uniformity of inspection practices to effectively detect illegal activity along the border, such as the smuggling of drugs and humans."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 118) This section requires CBP to publish information monthly about CBP encounters with non-U.S. nationals, including the total number of encounters and the nationalities of the individuals encountered."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 119) This section requires CBP to, within seven days of this bill's enactment, certify to Congress that CBP has real-time access to the criminal history databases of all countries of origin and transit for non-U.S. nationals encountered by CBP."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 120) This section prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from accepting as proof of identification certain documents, such as a warrant issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or an employment authorization issued by DHS."},{"k":"p","t":"The TSA must collect the biometric information of any individual who (1) seeks to enter the aircraft boarding area of an airport where access is controlled by the TSA, (2) does not present an accepted identification document, and (3) the TSA cannot verify is a U.S. national. The TSA must share this collected biometric information with the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT)."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 121) This section prohibits DHS from (1) issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate unless expressly authorized by Congress, or (2) taking any adverse action against an employee based solely on the employee's refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 122) This section limits the use of the CBP One mobile application or a similar program. Specifically, DHS may only use such an application for inspecting perishable cargo."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 124) This section requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the costs incurred by states in support of the federal mission to secure the southwest border and the feasibility of reimbursing states for such costs."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 125) This section requires the Office of Inspector General of DHS to annually report to Congress on the economic and security impact of mass migration to municipalities and states along the southwest border."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 126) This section specifies that no funds are authorized to be appropriated for specified DHS activities, including a pilot program for alternatives to detention or purchasing electric vehicles."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 128) This section requires the Office of Inspector General of DHS to report to Congress an assessment of CBP's ability to mitigate unmanned aircraft systems along the southwest border."},{"k":"p","t":"DIVISION B--IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS"},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE I--ASYLUM REFORM AND BORDER PROTECTION"},{"k":"p","t":"This title imposes additional requirements for asylum eligibility."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 101) This section expands provisions that bar certain individuals from applying for asylum."},{"k":"p","t":"Currently, an individual may not apply for asylum if that individual may be removed to a third country (i.e., a country that is not the applicant's country of nationality or last habitual residence) if that third country has (1) a full and fair asylum process that the individual could use, and (2) an agreement with the United States allowing for such removals. This section expands this provision by authorizing removal to third countries that do not have an agreement with the United States."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also bars an individual from applying for asylum if the individual traveled through at least one third country before arriving in the United States, with certain exceptions (e.g., the individual applied for and was denied asylum in that third country)."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 102) This section modifies the standard for establishing an asylum applicant's credible fear of persecution."},{"k":"p","t":"Specifically, to find credible fear, an asylum officer must find that the applicant could more likely than not establish eligibility for asylum. Currently, an asylum officer must conclude that there is a significant possibility that the applicant could establish eligibility for asylum."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 103) This section limits asylum eligibility to individuals who arrived in the United States at a port of entry."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 104) This section expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for (1) a misdemeanor relating to the unlawful possession or use of an identification, (2) an offense for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death, or (3) any felony."},{"k":"p","t":"This section further expands this bar to asylum eligibility by broadening the definition of felony to include any crime that is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment. (Some states have misdemeanors that are punishable by imprisonment of more than a year.) Currently, a felony is generally not a bar against asylum eligibility, though certain felonies, such as one for a particularly serious crime, would bar an individual if the individual constitutes a danger to the community."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 105) This section establishes a duration of six months for an employment authorization for an applicant for asylum. Such an employment authorization may also be renewed for six months or terminated under specified conditions."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 106) This section requires DHS to charge a fee for each asylum application, except for one filed by an unaccompanied alien child. Currently, DHS is authorized but not required to charge such fees."},{"k":"p","t":"The section also authorizes DHS to charge fees for a refugee's application for employment authorization or for lawful permanent resident status."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 107) This section increases the requirements for qualifying as a refugee."},{"k":"p","t":"Generally, a refugee must have a well-founded fear of persecution based on certain characteristics, such as the individual's race, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."},{"k":"p","t":"The section establishes additional requirements for meeting these criteria. For example, such persecution may not be based solely on (1) infrequently enforced laws or government policies unless there is credible evidence that the law or policy would be personally applied to the individual, or (2) conduct of rogue government officials acting outside their official capacity."},{"k":"p","t":"Furthermore, to be a member of a particular social group, the asylum applicant must establish that the group exists independently of the alleged acts of persecution (i.e., the group cannot be defined solely as the victims of the alleged persecution)."},{"k":"p","t":"The section also imposes limits on when DHS or DOJ may exercise discretion in favor of an asylum applicant. For example, favorable discretion may not be exercised, with certain exceptions, for an applicant who (1) has been unlawfully present in the United States for more than one year before applying for asylum; or (2) failed to file federal, state, or local tax returns."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 108) This section establishes certain situations when an asylum applicant must be considered to have firmly resettled in another country. (Generally, an individual who has firmly resettled in a country that is not their country of nationality is not eligible for asylum.)"},{"k":"p","t":"For example, an individual must be considered to have firmly resettled in another country if, after the events giving rise to the asylum claim, the individual resided in a country where the individual was eligible for any permanent or indefinitely renewable legal immigration status, such as refugee status."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 109) This section establishes a statutory definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, whereas currently this definition is defined in regulations. Under this bill, an application is frivolous if (1) it is so insufficient in substance that it is clear that it was filed to achieve another objective, such as to delay removal; or (2) any material elements are knowingly fabricated."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 111) This section requires DOJ to establish procedures to expedite the adjudication of asylum applications from individuals who are (1) subject to formal removal proceedings; and (2) nationals of a Western Hemisphere country subject to sanctions related to Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE II--BORDER SAFETY AND MIGRANT PROTECTION"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 201) This section expands the category of non-U.S. nationals who are subject to expedited removal (i.e., removal without further hearing or review) and addresses related issues."},{"k":"p","t":"Specifically, this section requires expedited removal for individuals who are unlawfully present or who unlawfully entered the United States. (Currently, DHS may, but is not required to, apply expedited removal to unlawfully present individuals who have been physically present in the United States for less than two years.)"},{"k":"p","t":"This section also requires, with certain exceptions, detention for individuals who (1) are subject to expedited removal, (2) are subject to expedited removal and have expressed an intention to apply for asylum, or (3) have established a credible fear of persecution and are awaiting consideration of an asylum application."},{"k":"p","t":"If DHS cannot comply with this detention requirement or remove an individual to a safe third country, DHS must return the individual to the neighboring country that the individual traveled through to reach the United States while the individual's case is pending."},{"k":"p","t":"A state may sue DHS to enforce the requirements imposed by this section."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 202) This section requires DHS to take all actions necessary to reopen or restore all ICE detention facilities that were in operation on January 20, 2021."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE III--PREVENTING UNCONTROLLED MIGRATION FLOWS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 302) This section requires the Department of State to seek to negotiate agreements with Western Hemisphere countries on cooperation and burden sharing on issues related to asylum seekers and immigration."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 303) This section requires the State Department to periodically brief Congress on the process of its negotiations pursuant to the previous section of this bill."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE IV--ENSURING UNITED FAMILIES AT THE BORDER"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 401) This section statutorily establishes that there is no presumption that an alien child (other than an unaccompanied child) should not be detained for immigration purposes."},{"k":"p","t":"Specifically, the section states that the detention of such minors shall be governed by specified sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act and not any other provision of law, judicial ruling, or settlement agreement."},{"k":"p","t":"(A 1997 settlement agreement, commonly known as the Flores agreement, imposes requirements relating to the treatment of detained alien minors, including requiring such minors to be released or placed in a nonsecure facility after a certain amount of time in detention.)"},{"k":"p","t":"If an adult enters the United States unlawfully with their child, DHS must detain the adult and child together if the only criminal charge against the adult is for unlawful entry."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors or families with minors."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE V--PROTECTION OF CHILDREN"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 502) This section modifies the treatment of unaccompanied alien children, including by requiring DHS to remove such children, with some exceptions, from the United States."},{"k":"p","t":"Current law authorizes DHS to remove an unaccompanied alien child to their country of nationality or last habitual residence if that country is next to the United States. This section (1) eliminates the requirement that the country is next to the United States; and (2) requires DHS to remove the child, whereas currently DHS is authorized to do so."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also authorizes immigration officers to permit such a child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also establishes and modifies deadlines for the handling of unaccompanied alien children. For example, if the child is a victim of a severe form of human trafficking or has a credible fear of persecution, the child must be placed in formal removal proceedings and have a hearing before an immigration judge within 14 days of screening."},{"k":"p","t":"Furthermore, before DHS places an unaccompanied alien child with an individual, the Department of Health and Human Services must provide DHS with certain information about the individual, including the individual's social security number and immigration status. DHS must initiate removal proceedings if the individual is unlawfully present."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 503) This section tightens the eligibility requirements for Special Immigrant Juvenile visas (immigrant visas for qualifying non-U.S. nationals under 21 years of age who are in the United States and have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent)."},{"k":"p","t":"Currently, an otherwise eligible individual may qualify for the visa if the individual cannot reunite with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment (i.e., an individual may qualify even if reunification with one parent is possible). Under this section, an individual shall not qualify for the visa if reunification is possible with any parent or legal guardian."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE VI--VISA OVERSTAYS PENALTIES"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 601) This section increases the civil penalties for unlawful entry into the United States and establishes criminal penalties for overstaying a visa."},{"k":"p","t":"An individual apprehended while unlawfully entering the United States shall be subject to a fine of at least $500 and up to $1,000 (currently at least $50 and up to $250)."},{"k":"p","t":"If an individual overstays a visa (or otherwise fails to comply with the conditions of a visa) for 10 days or more, on first offense the individual shall be subject to fines or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For subsequent violations, the individual shall be subject to fines or imprisonment of up to two years, or both."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE VII--IMMIGRATION PAROLE REFORM"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 701) This section limits the authority of DHS to grant parole (temporary admission into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit that is granted on a case-by-case basis)."},{"k":"p","t":"Under this section, DHS may not grant parole based on eligibility criteria describing an entire class of potential parole recipients."},{"k":"p","t":"This section restricts DHS from granting parole to non-U.S. nationals who are already in the United States, with specified exceptions, such as for certain individuals who already have an approved petition for a family-sponsored visa and are the spouse or child of an active duty member of the Armed Forces."},{"k":"p","t":"The section further restricts the authority of DHS to grant parole, including by limiting (1) what constitutes granting parole on a case-by-case basis, (2) the authority to grant parole to purposes laid out in the section, and (3) the length of the parole period that may be granted to an individual."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 702) This title takes effect 30 days after enactment of this bill, with specified exceptions."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 703) This section authorizes persons (individuals or entities), states, and local governments to sue the federal government for failing to comply with this title's requirements if the person or government bringing the lawsuit suffered at least $1,000 of financial harm as a result of the failure."},{"k":"p","t":"TITLE VIII--LEGAL WORKFORCE"},{"k":"p","t":"This title requires employers to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system modeled after the E-Verify program and addresses other issues related to employment eligibility."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 801) This section requires all employers to use the electronic employment eligibility verification system established under section 802 of this bill. The section also makes other changes to the requirements for employers to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of new employees, such as by imposing additional limits on the documents which may be used to verify an individual's identity and employment eligibility."},{"k":"p","t":"This section establishes procedures related to the verification system's use. For example, if the system provides a tentative nonconfirmation of an individual's identity or work eligibility, the individual may challenge the result by using the system's secondary verification process. If the individual does not challenge the tentative nonconfirmation, the result shall become final."},{"k":"p","t":"An employer may not rescind an employment offer or fire an employee for a tentative nonconfirmation until the result becomes final."},{"k":"p","t":"If an employer hires (or does not fire) an individual after a final nonconfirmation of identity or employment eligibility, the employer must inform DHS that it has done so. Failure to inform DHS shall constitute a failure to meet requirements to verify employment eligibility. Hiring or not firing an individual with a final nonconfirmation shall constitute a rebuttable presumption that the employer has failed to meet the eligibility verification requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"This section phases in the requirement to use the new system to verify new hires. The first group of employers required to use the system, nonagricultural employers with 10,000 or more U.S. employees, must do so beginning six months after this title's enactment. Employers with fewer employees are subject to later deadlines. Agricultural employers must start using the system beginning three years after this title's enactment. DHS must grant a one-time extension to this deadline upon request to employers with 50 or fewer employees."},{"k":"p","t":"Employers must also use the system to reverify individuals on limited periods of work authorization (e.g., a work visa) no later than three days after the authorization expires. This requirement is subject to the same phase-in schedule as the requirement for verifying new hires."},{"k":"p","t":"This section also requires employers to use the system to verify the identity and employment eligibility of certain previously hired individuals, such as (1) federal or state employees who were not previously verified under E-Verify, and (2) individuals using a Social Security number that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has flagged for a pattern of unusual use."},{"k":"p","t":"Employers may voluntarily choose to use the system before being required to do so by this section, subject to certain requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"An employer who has made a good faith attempt to comply with this section's requirements shall be deemed to be in compliance unless the employer (1) does not to correct a failure after being informed by DHS of the failure, or (2) has engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of this section's requirements."},{"k":"p","t":"DHS may extend the deadlines in this section by six months by certifying to Congress that the verification system will not be fully operational within six months of this title's enactment."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 802) This section requires DHS to establish and administer an employment eligibility confirmation modeled after the E-Verify system."},{"k":"p","t":"The system must (1) respond to electronic inquiries concerning an individual's identity and authorization to work in the United States; and (2) maintain records about such inquiries, including the responses to the inquiries."},{"k":"p","t":"The system must provide an initial response to an inquiry within three working days. For cases where the initial response is a tentative nonconfirmation of the individual's employment eligibility, the system must have a secondary verification process which, if used, must provide a final result within 10 working days of the initial response, with extensions available on a case-by-case basis."},{"k":"p","t":"DHS and the SSA must establish methods to provide and update the information required for the system to respond to inquiries."},{"k":"p","t":"DHS may authorize or require a person responsible for critical infrastructure to use the verification system if doing so would help protect the critical infrastructure."},{"k":"p","t":"An individual who alleges that they lost a job or job offer due to an error by the verification system may (1) seek compensation only through the Federal Tort Claims Act, and (2) injunctive relief. Such an individual may not bring a class action lawsuit."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 803) This section requires individuals and entities that recruit or refer individuals for employment, including union hiring halls and public or private labor service agencies, to use the verification system when recruiting or making a referral."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 804) This section establishes that an employer (or an entity that recruits or refers for employment) who uses the verification system in good faith is not liable for employment-related actions taken in good-faith reliance on the information provided by the system."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 805) This section preempts any state or local laws relating to the employment and employment eligibility verification of unauthorized non-U.S. nationals."},{"k":"p","t":"States and localities may take certain actions to enforce this title's provisions, including using its business licensing authority to penalize businesses for failing to use the verification system."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 806) This section repeals the provisions that established the E-Verify pilot program. It also establishes that any reference in federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation that refers to the E-Verify pilot program is deemed to refer to the verification program established by Section 802 of this bill."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 807) This section increases the civil monetary penalties for hiring, recruiting, and referral violations involving unauthorized workers and establishes that failing to use the verification system established by this title constitutes such a violation. The section also increases the criminal penalties for engaging in a pattern or practice of such violations."},{"k":"p","t":"DHS may debar an individual or entity from receiving federal contracts and grants for repeat hiring violations (including failures to use the verification system) or a criminal conviction for such a violation."},{"k":"p","t":"DHS shall also establish an office to (1) receive information from state and local agencies about potential hiring, recruiting, and referral violations involving unauthorized workers, and (2) investigate claims based on such information."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 808) This section establishes that an individual who knowing misuses a document meant to establish work authorization is subject to fines, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. (Currently, the statute in question only refers to misusing identification documents.)"},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 809) This section requires DHS and the SSA to enter into an agreement by October 1, 2023, to provide funds to the SSA for the full costs of its responsibilities under this title."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 810) This section requires DHS to establish programs to combat fraud related to the employment eligibility verification system established by this title."},{"k":"p","t":"Specifically, DHS must, in consultation with the SSA, establish programs to (1) block Social Security numbers with unusual use patterns in the system, (2) allow individuals to suspend or limit the use of their Social Security numbers or other identifying information in the system, and (3) allow parents to suspend or limit the use of their child's Social Security number or other identifying information in the system."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 812) This section requires DHS to establish at least two pilot programs that use different technologies for verifying the identity and employment eligibility of new employees."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 813) This section requires the Office of the Inspector General of the SSA to find unauthorized workers by auditing cases involving (1) a worker disputing wages reported on their Social Security number, (2) a child's Social Security number being used for work purposes, or (3) an employer with many workers with mismatched Social Security numbers or names. The SSA must report these audits to Congress."},{"k":"p","t":"(Sec. 816) This section nullifies two Department of Labor final rules related to H-2A (temporary or seasonal agricultural workers) visas."},{"k":"p","t":"The first final rule is entitled Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in the United States and was published on October 12, 2022. This rule makes various changes to the program, including by (1) modifying rules relating to what constitutes joint employment and when employers are treated as joint employers; and (2) requiring rental accommodations used to house H-2A workers to meet applicable local, state, or federal health and safety standards."},{"k":"p","t":"The second final rule is entitled Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States and was published on February 28, 2023. This rule makes changes to the methodology used to set adverse effect wage rates, including by using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage surveys in certain instances. (Generally, the minimum wage for an H-2A worker is the highest of the adverse effect wage rate, the applicable minimum wage, the prevailing wage for that occupation in that area, or any agreed-upon collective bargaining wage.)"}],"words":4513},"summary":{"main_subject":{"text":"Changes immigration law and Department of Homeland Security border operations, covering border barrier construction and Customs and Border Protection requirements, asylum eligibility, expedited removal and detention, immigration parole, and employment eligibility verification.","cites":[{"label":"Division A, Sec. 103","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HD633C384CF0B4A468F0E3A0A639282CD"},{"label":"Division B, Sec. 101","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H04E6CAF3F88746F888B85AE16EE4C478"},{"label":"Sec. 201","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H9E1BE35501C240AFA5496022F9AF05BE"},{"label":"Sec. 701","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H8A6889658B554CECA4C64C5BEB6BA03D"},{"label":"Sec. 801","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HE72C97DA3C854A6D96C08C6A27A901B6"}]},"core_areas":["Border wall and barrier construction","Customs and Border Protection staffing, technology and operations","Asylum eligibility and procedures","Expedited removal, detention and return to contiguous territory","Immigration parole authority","Penalties for unlawful entry and visa overstays","Employer employment eligibility verification system"],"what_it_does":[{"text":"Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, within seven days of enactment, to resume all border wall construction activities along the border with Mexico that were underway or being planned before January 20, 2021.","cite":{"label":"Division A, Sec. 102","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HA34975EA1B1341DFA53391AE1549A7C4"}},{"text":"Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require a border wall along not fewer than 900 miles of the southwest border, and requires the Secretary to waive all legal requirements necessary for expeditious construction.","cite":{"label":"Division A, Sec. 103","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HD633C384CF0B4A468F0E3A0A639282CD"}},{"text":"Requires the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire, train and assign Border Patrol agents to maintain an active duty presence of not fewer than 22,000 full-time equivalent agents by September 30, 2025.","cite":{"label":"Division A, Sec. 107","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HB6980591392246ADA74CA4E019702C04"}},{"text":"Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien ineligible to apply for asylum if the alien transited through at least one other country on the way to the United States, with listed exceptions such as a final denial of protection in a transit country.","cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 101","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H04E6CAF3F88746F888B85AE16EE4C478"}},{"text":"Changes the credible fear standard so an asylum officer must find the alien more likely than not could establish asylum eligibility, replacing the existing \"significant possibility\" wording.","cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 102","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H3E66D1C731E04FA6A17A92ECBFFB38F8"}},{"text":"Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act so that an alien may apply for asylum only if the alien has arrived in the United States at a port of entry.","cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 103","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HE0CB599F4CB24FAEAE209399170BF5CB"}},{"text":"Bars release, including by parole, of certain aliens in expedited removal or detention other than to be removed or returned, requires return to contiguous foreign territory if the Secretary cannot detain or remove them, and lets a State attorney general sue for injunctive relief.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 201","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H9E1BE35501C240AFA5496022F9AF05BE"}},{"text":"Rewrites the parole authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow parole only case by case and not by class, for listed urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, generally for the shorter of the time needed or 1 year.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 701","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H8A6889658B554CECA4C64C5BEB6BA03D"}},{"text":"Raises the civil fine for unlawful entry to not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, and creates a violation, with fines or imprisonment, for a nonimmigrant who fails for an aggregate of 10 days or more to maintain status or comply with its conditions.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 601","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HC213DD3C96A8402C85C32B3DAC8D37AB"}},{"text":"Requires employers to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system for new hires, starting 6 months after enactment for employers with 10,000 or more employees and later for smaller employers and for agricultural labor.","cite":{"label":"Sec. 801","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HE72C97DA3C854A6D96C08C6A27A901B6"}}],"unexpected":[{"category":"off_subject","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 114","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H0E438DD2C5C6484586EBE1E1B013CB2A"},"heading":"U.S. Customs and Border Protection spiritual readiness","effect":"Requires an annual report for five years on the availability and use of chaplains, prayer groups, houses of worship, and other spiritual resources for CBP members who identify as religiously affiliated and are at risk of suicide.","amount":null,"quote":"availability and usage of the assistance of chaplains, prayer groups, houses of worship, and other spiritual resources for members of CBP"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 120","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HC783D4B7EDA54796BA260C0F95003D7B"},"heading":"Prohibited identification documents at airport security checkpoints; notification to immigration agencies","effect":"Bars the Transportation Security Administration from accepting certain listed immigration forms as proof of identification at airport checkpoints, requires notice to immigration agencies, and requires biometric collection from certain travelers entering airport sterile areas.","amount":null,"quote":"The Administrator may not accept as valid proof of identification a prohibited identification document at an airport security checkpoint."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 121","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H58E47028C1A94CA8A27CB41337FC90C3"},"heading":"Prohibition against any COVID–19 vaccine mandate or adverse action against DHS employees","effect":"Bars the Secretary from issuing a COVID–19 vaccine mandate without express authorization from Congress, bars adverse action against Department employees based solely on refusal of the vaccine, and requires a report on employees who left because of the mandate.","amount":null,"quote":"The Secretary may not issue any COVID–19 vaccine mandate unless Congress expressly authorizes such a mandate."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 123","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H494439D364F840D4BB447B7B33B432ED"},"heading":"Report on Mexican drug cartels","effect":"Requires a commissioned report containing a national strategy on Mexican drug cartels, a determination on whether a designation should be established for them, and information on their actions that cause harm to the United States.","amount":null,"quote":"A national strategy to address Mexican drug cartels, and a determination regarding whether there should be a designation established to address such cartels."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 124","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H213B6CFCF83B4E16B73A70534FF88009"},"heading":"GAO study on costs incurred by States to secure the southwest border","effect":"Requires a Comptroller General study of costs individual States incurred in support of the Federal mission to secure the southwest border, and of the feasibility of a program to reimburse States for those costs.","amount":null,"quote":"the feasibility of a program to reimburse such States for such costs."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 125","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HB075E4F95BD748E2917D148C054547D3"},"heading":"Report by Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security","effect":"Requires an annual Inspector General report for five years on the economic and security impact of mass migration on southwest border municipalities and States, including costs to law enforcement, school districts, healthcare providers, and farmers and ranchers.","amount":null,"quote":"a report examining the economic and security impact of mass migration to municipalities and States along the southwest border."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 301","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HD55D8E1D50C747A48040938320F057AB"},"heading":"United States policy regarding Western Hemisphere cooperation on immigration and asylum","effect":"States a policy of entering agreements with Western Hemisphere countries on immigration and of directing humanitarian and development assistance toward programs shown to reduce illegal immigration flows.","amount":null,"quote":"to ensure that humanitarian and development assistance funding aimed at reducing illegal immigration is not expended on programs that have not proven to reduce illegal immigrant flows in the aggregate"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 302","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H841455EDA8D54A2887CDB080FE9C7525"},"heading":"Negotiations by Secretary of State","effect":"Directs the Secretary of State to seek agreements with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and other countries on asylum processing, detention and repatriation, with minimum terms for each country.","amount":null,"quote":"The Secretary of State shall seek to negotiate agreements, accords, and memoranda of understanding between the United States, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and other countries in the Western Hemisphere"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 303","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HC922FEA29B52475B85C54491C25F78C1"},"heading":"Mandatory briefings on United States efforts to address the border crisis","effect":"Requires the Secretary of State to give in-person briefings every 90 days to foreign affairs committees on diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance related to migration until the Secretary certifies flows have subsided to a manageable rate.","amount":null,"quote":"illegal immigration flows have subsided to a manageable rate"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 503","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H314AB60368F7486080D697B9E57EAAE4"},"heading":"Special immigrant juvenile status for immigrants unable to reunite with either parent","effect":"Amends the special immigrant juvenile status definition by removing the parental reunification-viability requirement and barring status if reunification with any one parent or guardian is not precluded by abuse, neglect or abandonment.","amount":null,"quote":"an alien may not be granted special immigrant status under this subparagraph if the alien’s reunification with any one parent or legal guardian is not precluded"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 814","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H807C3EE0EFB24286A9EBAC5C8E82DB74"},"heading":"Agriculture workforce study","effect":"Requires DHS to report within 36 months on the agricultural workforce, wage growth, labor costs and mechanization, with recommendations for agricultural employers, including H-2A reform.","amount":null,"quote":"Recommendations, other than a path to legal status for aliens not authorized to work in the United States, for ensuring United States agricultural employers have a workforce sufficient to cover industry needs"}]},{"category":"named_funding","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Division A, Sec. 110","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HC442006B35F5436A874F08EF29117F34"},"heading":"Operation Stonegarden","effect":"Establishes a grant program named \"Operation Stonegarden\" for eligible law enforcement agencies and authorizes $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for those grants.","amount":"$110,000,000","quote":"There is authorized to be appropriated $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for grants under this section."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 112","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H12EA83BA70804D2E95456C06D6EDAA2E"},"heading":"Eradication of carrizo cane and salt cedar","effect":"Requires the Secretary to hire contractors to eradicate carrizo cane and salt cedar along the Rio Grande River that impedes border security operations by September 30, 2027, and authorizes $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.","amount":"$7,000,000","quote":"There is authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to the Secretary to carry out this subsection."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 126","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HF09C5BA3DE3640E4B72620CC6E67C4E5"},"heading":"Offsetting authorizations of appropriations","effect":"Provides that no funds are authorized for named Department programs (Alternatives to Detention Case Management Pilot Program, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, electric vehicles, St. Elizabeths campus construction, Shelter Services Program) and authorizes $216,000,000 for Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness.","amount":"$216,000,000","quote":"There is authorized to be appropriated $216,000,000 for Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness of the Department of Homeland Security."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 202","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HA112CBE730B74892BE289F654E4177E9"},"heading":"Operational detention facilities","effect":"Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to reopen or restore ICE detention facilities, including five specifically listed facilities, by September 30, 2023.","amount":null,"quote":"The requirement under subsection (a) shall include at a minimum, reopening, or restoring, the following facilities: (1) Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia."}]},{"category":"selective_carve_out","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Division A, Sec. 108","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HDABF8F4F71EC4C61AB7629466D9E92D7"},"heading":"Anti-Border Corruption Act reauthorization","effect":"Requires the CBP Commissioner to waive a hiring requirement (which the section links to the polygraph examination) for listed groups of applicants: State or local law enforcement officers, Federal law enforcement officers, and members of the Armed Forces or veterans who meet stated criteria, until personnel levels are certified as met.","amount":null,"quote":"to a current, full-time law enforcement officer employed by a State or local law enforcement agency who—"},{"cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 106","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H0C56117B93C44307B2D60790FF4CE580"},"heading":"Asylum fees","effect":"Sets an asylum application fee of not less than $50, capped at the cost of adjudication, and exempts unaccompanied alien children who file asylum applications in section 240 proceedings from that fee.","amount":"$50","quote":"Such fee shall not apply to an unaccompanied alien child who files an asylum application in proceedings under section 240."},{"cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 111","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H7FE581854C924E4E931F01573A9B9EF4"},"heading":"Requirement for procedures relating to certain asylum applications","effect":"Requires the Attorney General, within 30 days, to establish procedures to expedite asylum adjudication only for aliens in removal proceedings who are nationals of Western Hemisphere countries subject to sanctions under three listed authorities.","amount":null,"quote":"Subsection (a) shall apply only to an asylum application filed by an alien who is a national of a Western Hemisphere country subject to sanctions pursuant to"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 401","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H97D00A255E624262A893E53C1EA48070"},"heading":"Clarification of standards for family detention","effect":"Provides that detention of accompanied alien children is governed by listed Immigration and Nationality Act sections notwithstanding consent decrees or settlement agreements, requires family detention for certain misdemeanor entrants, and bars State licensing requirements for facilities holding children.","amount":null,"quote":"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement, the detention of any alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child shall be governed by sections 217, 235, 236, and 241"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 502","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H5C93C3804C2049CCB4F7F857CC926C6C"},"heading":"Repatriation of unaccompanied alien children","effect":"Changes rules for unaccompanied alien children so those from non-contiguous countries are treated under the same repatriation rules, adds a 14-day immigration judge hearing, and requires sponsor information to be given to DHS.","amount":null,"quote":"shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding the individual with whom the child will be placed, information on—"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 701","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H8A6889658B554CECA4C64C5BEB6BA03D"},"heading":"Immigration parole reform","effect":"Rewrites parole authority to limit it to listed purposes, with separate parole provisions for spouses and children of active-duty military members and for Cuban nationals under a 1994 migration communiqué.","amount":null,"quote":"who is a national of the Republic of Cuba and is living in the Republic of Cuba;"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 702","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H4C52F09B62494177B9D422F06C3FBD55"},"heading":"Implementation","effect":"Sets the parole title to take effect 30 days after enactment, with exceptions for earlier-filed applications, one subparagraph taking effect on enactment, and aliens paroled before January 1, 2023.","amount":null,"quote":"Aliens who were paroled into the United States pursuant to section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A)) before January 1, 2023"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 801","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HE72C97DA3C854A6D96C08C6A27A901B6"},"heading":"Employment eligibility verification process","effect":"Rewrites the employment eligibility verification process with start dates staggered by employer size and a 36-month delayed start for agricultural labor or services.","amount":null,"quote":"With respect to an employee performing agricultural labor or services, this paragraph shall not apply with respect to the verification of the employee until the date that is 36 months after"},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 815","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H32D03ED5BDE54A48B542870E56331107"},"heading":"Sense of Congress on further implementation","effect":"States the sense of Congress that DHS should consider and address adverse impact on the agricultural workforce, operations and food security when implementing E-Verify.","amount":null,"quote":"in implementing the E-Verify Program, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure any adverse impact on the Nation’s agricultural workforce, operations, and food security are considered and addressed"},{"cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 108","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H13DE66ACC1134025BA3D7FA24B15763E"},"heading":"Firm resettlement","effect":"Defines firm resettlement for asylum purposes and excludes from the one-year residence test time spent in Mexico by certain non-Mexican aliens who were returned or subject to metering.","amount":null,"quote":"except for any time spent in Mexico by an alien who is not a native or citizen of Mexico solely as a direct result of being returned to Mexico"},{"cite":{"label":"Division B, Sec. 104","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HFAC3B2DDD5364D34833CA06ADDF37D62"},"heading":"Exceptions","effect":"Rewrites the asylum eligibility bars and includes exceptions to them for aliens convicted of certain domestic violence offenses who meet the criteria of section 237(a)(7)(A), and for a single offense of possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana.","amount":null,"quote":"An alien who was convicted of an offense described in clause (viii) or (ix) of subparagraph (A) is not ineligible for asylum on that basis if the alien satisfies the criteria under section 237(a)(7)(A)."},{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 807","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H65212FFD49A9458690C24B38EFC9A2CF"},"heading":"Penalties","effect":"Raises civil and criminal penalties for employer verification violations and adds a provision allowing the penalty to be waived or reduced for violators who show good faith. It also adds a business-size mitigation factor, debarment authority, and a State and local complaint office.","amount":null,"quote":"the penalty otherwise imposed may be waived or reduced if the violator establishes that the violator acted in good faith."}]},{"category":"rule_delay","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 816","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-HDAC8CA46CE524BCAAFF034807D1379B7"},"heading":"Repealing regulations","effect":"Provides that two named H-2A agricultural worker rules have no force or effect and may not be reissued in substantially the same form.","amount":null,"quote":"shall have no force or effect, may not be reissued in substantially the same form, and any new rules that are substantially the same as such rules may not be issued."}]},{"category":"process_change","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 703","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H5074B67572794260B3385CC35BC78AB8"},"heading":"Cause of action","effect":"Gives any person, State or local government with financial harm above $1,000 from federal failure to apply the parole title standing to sue the Federal Government.","amount":"$1,000","quote":"Any person, State, or local government that experiences financial harm in excess of $1,000 due to a failure of the Federal Government to lawfully apply the provisions of this title"}]},{"category":"unnamed_target","items":[{"cite":{"label":"Sec. 115","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh#toc-H66E298AF35E44FF0A4590C47F842C7CC"},"heading":"Restrictions on funding","effect":"Provides that no funds are authorized to be appropriated to the Department for disbursement to nongovernmental organizations that facilitate unlawful activity, or that provide transportation, lodging, or immigration legal services to inadmissible aliens who enter after enactment.","amount":null,"quote":"No funds are authorized to be appropriated to the Department for disbursement to any nongovernmental organization to provide, or facilitate the provision of, transportation, lodging, or immigration legal services"}]}],"version":{"type":"Engrossed in House","date":"2023-05-11","rule":"passed","href":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text/eh"},"current":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","approved":"2026-10-02","approved_by":"checks"},"sources":{"congress_gov":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2","text":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2/text"},"card":{"image":"card/item/118-hr-2.png","v":"d93e30d42102","alt":"Votes on Record. H.R. 2, 118th Congress: Secure the Border Act of 2023. House: 219 Yea, 213 Nay. Outcome: Passed House, 11 May 2023."}}