S. 850 · Passed Senate · Immigration

Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act

Sponsor: Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH)

What it does

• Require DHS to perform threat analysis of the northern border every three years, assessing terrorist and criminal risks, apprehension trends, and security gaps.
• Mandate DHS update its northern border strategy by September 2, 2026, and every five years thereafter, based on the latest threat analysis results.
• Direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations to develop performance metrics measuring effectiveness in securing the northern border outside ports of entry.

Official summary

Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to regularly perform a threat analysis of the northern U.S. border. The analysis must be performed every three years and include terroristic and criminal threats, recent changes in apprehensions, and improvements needed to prevent terrorism and reduce criminal activity. DHS must update its northern border strategy not later than September 2, 2026, and every five years thereafter, incorporating the results from the latest threat analysis. DHS must also provide a classified briefing to the appropriate congressional committees. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) must develop performance metrics to assess the AMO’s effectiveness at securing the northern border between ports of entry in air and maritime environments.

Latest action

Aug 10, 2026: Held at the desk.

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs