Texas District 4 Congressman Pat Fallon led 17 of his colleagues in the introduction of the American Safety and Fairness Through Expedited Removal Act, known as the SAFER Act. This legislation would provide Customs and Border Patrol another tool to counter border policy crisis by restoring expedited removal of illegal immigrants.
Fallon, in a newsletter Friday evening, stated that the millions of illegal aliens who have crossed the southern border since Joe Biden took office includes many who were released without even an immigration court date, and with the current backlog, those who are given a date end up waiting potentially years without a court appearance.
“Against this backdrop, now is the time to restore expedited removal to its original state as Congress intended,” Fallon sated in the Dec. 23, 2022 release. “Last week, I introduced legislation to do just that. The American Safety and Fairness through Expedited Removal (SAFER) Act would provide Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) a vital tool to counter Biden’s border policy crisis by reinstating expedited removal.”
The bill, if passed, would do four things:
- Rescind the rule that establishes the 100-mile-air-14-day limitation;
- Restrict the Department of Homeland Security from implementing any more rules with distance limitations;
- Require all illegal aliens – anywhere in the country – who procured admission through fraud or misrepresentation or did not obtain valid entry documents, and have been present fewer than two years, be processed through expedited removal; and
- Grant future administrations discretion to expand expedited removal further if circumstances call for it.
“As CBP braces for the end of Title 42, Congress must act to counter the disaster at our southern border. The American SAFER Act will no longer allow illegal aliens to receive a “get out of jail free” card from the expedited removal process. It’s time to restore order at our southern border,” the release from Fallon’s office stated.
Click here to learn more about the SAFER Act
Enrollment on Arrival | U.S. Customs
Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is a Customs and Border Patrol program that allows Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States. This eliminates the need for a Global Entry applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process.
When landing in an international terminal follow the signage directing you to CBP officers who can complete your Global Entry interview during your admissibility inspection. If you require assistance for your Global Entry interview because of a disability, immediately inform the interviewing CBP officer of your need for a reasonable modification or auxiliary aid or service to participate in the interview. For your planning purposes, please understand that if you use EoA and are requesting a modification, aid, or service at that time and an effective modification, aid, or service is not readily available, the interview may be scheduled for a later date.
To complete the interview via EoA, you must be in possession of the following documents:
- A valid passport. If you travel using more than one passport, please bring them all to the interview so that the information can be added to your file. This provides you with the ability to use multiple passports at the Global Entry kiosk.
- Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are: driver’s license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc. This is not required for minors.
- A permanent resident card (if applicable).
If you are a conditionally-approved Global Entry applicant, you could save time by participating in Enrollment on Arrival.
Click here for a list of participating EoA airports.
STEP Program
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, offered through the Bureau of Consular Affairs, is a free service that allows U.S. Citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest US. Embassy or Consulate.
Click here for more information on the STEP Program.
IRS Information
The IRS just announced they would be providing broad-based penalty relief for certain 2019 and 2020 returns due to the pandemic. The relief applies to the failure to file penalty.
Click here to read Notice 2022-36: Penalty Relief for Certain Taxpayers Filing Returns for Taxable Years 2019 and 2020
Congressman Fallon Applauds the Final Passage of FY23 NDAA
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for FY23. Congressman Pat Fallon and his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee have worked tirelessly on this legislation; Fallon had 20 initiatives included in the bill. To learn more about those provisions, click her
Those provisions include:
- HMMWV ABS/ESC Authorization – $193 million. An increase of $183 million over the President’s request. This will fuel jobs at Red River Army Depot and save countless lives.
- Rescinding COVID-19 vaccine mandates and ending separations for failure to comply.
- Fully funding National Guard Operations and Maintenance account to support border deployments.
- Prohibiting the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the transfer of terrorists to the United States.
- Accelerating the transition to 5G information and communications technology within the military departments.
- Modifying the annual report on the military capabilities of Iran and related activities.
Fallon issued the following statement on the final passage of the FY23 NDAA: “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act provides our armed services with the necessary resources to defend our interests around the world. Within the bill were 20 provisions I fought for that will strengthen our national security and support the state of Texas. I am proud to have worked with colleagues to successfully pass our nation’s defense bill for the 62nd consecutive year. As long as I am in Congress, I will continue support policies that ensure a strong national defense.”
