In a bold move to address surging illegal immigration and border enforcement issues, House Republicans have passed the “Border Sovereignty Act of 2025,” a sweeping piece of legislation that revives several hardline immigration policies from the Trump administration. The passage of the bill, which occurred during the first week of May, comes amid a significant rise in migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border, with Customs and Border Protection reporting sharp increases in April.
The bill reinstates the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in U.S. immigration courts. It also mandates the utilization of previously appropriated funds for border wall construction, funds which had been frozen under President Biden. Republican lawmakers argue that these measures are crucial to restoring order at the southern border and defending American sovereignty.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a leading advocate of the bill, emphasized the urgency of the situation in a press conference following the vote. “We are taking strong, necessary action to protect our nation from the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration. The Biden administration has failed to enforce our laws, and this legislation is a critical step to reestablish the rule of law and secure our border.”
Support for the legislation extends beyond Capitol Hill. GOP governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Katie Hobbs of Arizona have both expressed approval. Governor Abbott announced an increase in National Guard deployment to the border as part of Operation Lone Star, a state-led initiative aimed at curbing unlawful border crossings and criminal activity.
Critics, however, have slammed the bill as inhumane and legally problematic. The Biden administration denounced the legislation as “cruel and unworkable,” arguing that it undermines the country’s obligations under international asylum laws and complicates diplomatic relations with Mexico. Human rights groups have also raised concerns, warning that forcing asylum seekers to remain in Mexico exposes them to violence and exploitation.
Despite the House approval, the bill faces an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is expected to encounter strong resistance. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that the legislation, in its current form, has little chance of passing.
Still, the bill represents a defining moment in the Republican Party’s ongoing campaign to portray the Biden administration as lax on border enforcement. As the issue of immigration continues to dominate national headlines, the debate over how best to manage the southern border is set to remain a central flashpoint in American politics leading into the 2026 midterms.
