A new Republican bill has been introduced in the US Congress, which aims to address the record high level of migration at the US-Mexico border, CNN reports.
The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to step up technological innovations at the border, as well as restart the construction of the border wall along the southern border, which was suspended by Joe Biden by executive order after taking office. The plan is to extend the wall for at least another 900 miles.
“This border crisis is one of the greatest security threats facing the American people. The Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee will not stand by and will not allow this to continue,” said Mark Green, chairman of the US Department of Homeland Security.
It is also planned to increase the staff of CBP agents to 22,000 people. CBP currently employs approximately 19,000 Border Patrol agents.
The proposed 68-page bill will be considered by the committee as early as Wednesday. If passed, the “Fortify the Borders Act” would introduce several measures that would make it harder for migrants and asylum seekers to enter the United States.