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H.R.2588 / 105th Congress

Border Security and Enforcement Act of 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 30, 1997

Border Security and Enforcement Act of 1997 - Establishes in the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Office of Enforcement and Border Affairs, to be headed by a Director. Transfers from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to the Director all functions, personnel, infrastructure, and funding of the following programs: (1) the Border Patrol program; (2) the detention and deportation program; (3) the intelligence program; (4) the investigations program; and (5) the inspections program. Transfers DOJ personnel and assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and INS funds in connection with such functions to the Office, for allocation by the Director. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) continuation of proceedings and suits and nonabatement of actions in connection with transferred functions; and (2) delegation and assignment and authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding functions transferred.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16] · D–TX

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
21 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2588 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2588 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2588 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2588 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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