PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 31, 2013
Border Enforcement, Security, and Technology Act of 2013 and BEST Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop: (1) a comprehensive technology plan for the security of the international borders of the United States, and (2) a National Strategy for Border Security to achieve operational control over all ports of entry into the United States and the international borders of the United States.
Directs the Secretary to address Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recruitment and retention challenges.
Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number of CBP officers.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to provide a tactical cellular testbed on the southwest U.S. border that serves as a communications platform and an intelligence data transport layer between a dismounted team and the nearest communications node.
Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a mandatory exit data system by December 31, 2015, that includes data collection from machine-readable visas, passports, and other travel and entry documents for all categories of aliens who are exiting from air and sea ports of entry; and (2) a mandatory biometric exit data system within two years at the ten U.S. airports that support the highest volume of international air travel.
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress regarding: (1) registered traveler programs, and (2) the number and country of origin of non-deportable aliens who have been released into the United States over the past 10 years.
Directs the Secretary to issue a rule regarding the procedural and record keeping requirements associated with border security searches of electronic devices.
Directs the Inspector General (of DHS) to report to Congress regarding CBP-Coast Guard coordination of land and maritime border enforcement efforts.
Establishes the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Task Force.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) work with Canadian and Mexican government officials to assess the needs of Central American countries to maintain their border security and to determine the related support needed by such countries from the United States, Canada, and Mexico; (2) provide Mexico with assistance to help secure its southern border from undocumented aliens, drugs, weapons, and other contraband; and (3) work with government officials of Caribbean countries to address maritime border security.
Directs the Secretary to establish standards for appropriate treatment of immigration detainees, including guidelines for children at family detention centers.
Authorizes appropriations for detention program alternatives.
Directs the Secretary, with respect to aliens apprehended and detained by the Border Patrol, to: (1) ensure adequate access to food and water; (2) ensure that information is provided concerning such alien's rights, including the right to contact a representative of his or her government; and (3) establish a database containing family member, medical, and location information.
People & committees
Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-46] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.2872 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.
Examine H.R.2872 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.
Examine H.R.2872 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.
Examine H.R.2872 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.