Texas Representative Chip Roy has advanced his Permanent Trump Secure Border Act to markup before the House Judiciary Committee, a procedural breakthrough that came after members of the House Freedom Caucus accused Speaker Mike Johnson of failing to keep a promise to bring border legislation to the floor by July 4. The bill marks the first attempt this Congress to codify President Donald Trump’s executive border actions into permanent statute.
Roy said the markup represents an essential step toward locking in policies that could otherwise be reversed by a future administration. “Securing a markup for my Permanent Trump Secure Border Act is a critical first step toward permanently enshrining President Trump’s successful border policies into law,” he said. “If Congress fails to act, nothing will prevent a future radical administration from undoing these policies and returning our nation to the border chaos of the past.”
Roy said he hopes momentum continues beyond this single measure. “I commend Chairman Jordan for advancing this important legislation and helping move it one step closer to becoming law, and I hope we will soon also move two more priorities, including ending both sanctuary cities and falsely defined birthright citizenship,” he said. The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship by a 6-3 vote in Trump v. Barbara on June 30.
The bill would limit the release of illegal aliens into the U.S. interior while removal proceedings are pending. It would also authorize the Homeland Security secretary to return certain arriving aliens to contiguous foreign territory pending further proceedings, and it restricts parole authority to case-by-case humanitarian or public-benefit determinations rather than blanket eligibility for entire classes of migrants. Paroled aliens would generally be barred from accepting employment while in the country.
Georgia Representative Andrew Clyde argued that codifying the policies is necessary to prevent future reversal. “Congress must do everything in its power to protect our nation for future generations, including codifying President Trump’s border security policies,” he said. “Failure to do so simply greenlights a future Democrat administration to reopen the floodgates for another invasion of illegal aliens — putting American lives and livelihoods at risk. It’s time for Republicans to deliver the America First change we promised, starting with permanently securing our borders in law and ending the revolving door of illegal immigration.”
Virginia Representative Ben Cline said the legislation builds on existing border enforcement gains. “Thanks to President Trump, our nation’s borders are secure, but our work is far from finished,” he said. “Congressional Republicans must continue to pass commonsense legislation that reverses the damage created by Democrats and makes the administration’s actions permanent. This comprehensive immigration bill is the next step to keeping dangerous criminals out of our country and Americans safe for generations to come.”
The bill also bars asylum claims from aliens convicted of felonies, driving under the influence, stalking, child abuse, domestic assault, or gang activity.
If the measure clears markup, it will next go to Speaker Johnson and the House Rules Committee, where its path to a floor vote will become clearer in the coming weeks.
