Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2027
Sponsored By: Representative Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2027 while imposing strong oversight and specific limits on how DHS spends those funds. It ties money to detailed planning, reporting, acquisition rules, and many prohibitions on particular activities.
Show full summary
- Migrants and detainees: Would require ICE to maintain detention capacity and enroll non‑detained docket aliens in Alternatives to Detention with GPS monitoring until removal. It also adds protections for pregnant detainees and allows personal, noncommercial importation of FDA‑compliant prescription drugs from Canada limited to a 90‑day supply.
- Workers and visa petitioners: Would change temporary worker rules so certain H‑2 agricultural jobs can be treated as temporary for up to one year and lets employers use the highest number certified in the prior five fiscal years. It also creates a new temporary P category for traveling entertainment workers with rulemaking deadlines of 180 days and one year.
- DHS operations, grants, and procurement: Would add strict acquisition governance and pilot controls, require monthly migrant estimates with independent validation, cap FEMA administrative costs at 5 percent, and direct $40 million for body‑worn cameras while transferring about $99.8 million into CISA response funds.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
31 provisions identified: 15 benefits, 7 costs, 9 mixed.
Tighter asylum rules and work permits
If enacted, the bill would bar funding to grant asylum or credible fear interviews to people who transited other countries before arriving in the U.S., unless they show narrow exceptions like final denials in each transit country or trafficking that prevented applications. It would also prohibit issuing work permits to people whose asylum claims were denied or who were convicted of a Federal or State crime while the asylum claim was pending. The changes would reduce access to asylum and to employment authorization for affected migrants.
New ICE detention and tracking rules
If enacted, the Secretary would have to prioritize ICE funds to keep average daily detention at full capacity for facilities funded by this Act. Every person on ICE's non‑detained docket would be enrolled in Alternatives to Detention with GPS monitoring while proceedings continue and until removal if ordered. DHS would also start making monthly migrant arrival and detained/removed estimates, and submit obligation and fee collection plans for funds from Public Law 119‑21 on a rapid, recurring schedule to Congress.
Bring prescription drugs from Canada
If enacted, Customs and Border Protection would be barred from preventing an individual (not in the business of importing) from bringing FDA‑compliant prescription drugs from Canada in a personal supply of up to 90 days. The rule would not apply to controlled substances or biological products. The imported drug must comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Two temporary worker visa changes
If enacted, the bill would create a temporary P visa subcategory for workers who travel with seasonal mobile entertainment (carnivals, circuses, and affiliated concessions). For fiscal year 2027, work on qualifying agricultural operations would count as temporary agricultural labor for H admissions, making such workers eligible for admission for up to one year. DHS and DOL would have deadlines to publish rules for the new P visa.
Dedicated E-Verify funding for 2027
If enacted, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would receive $112,995,000 for E‑Verify operations and support in fiscal year 2027. The money would be in addition to other funding for E‑Verify and would not require any reduction in the fees described in 8 U.S.C. 1356(m). This funding would support continued operation of the employer verification system.
Limits on government labeling, ID, and speech
If enacted, the bill would bar using funds to classify speech by U.S. persons as mis-, dis-, or mal-information and would bar funding organizations that pressure companies to remove lawful U.S. speech. It would forbid using funds to plan or test a national ID card and would bar funding a Disinformation Governance Board. The bill would also protect people whose sincere religious belief defines marriage as one man and one woman from adverse federal actions and prevent changing the naturalization oath with these funds.
More law‑enforcement training and gear
If enacted, DHS would get $40 million for body‑worn cameras for immigration law enforcement and must send a spend plan within 30 days. The bill would fund FLETC accreditation activities, allow FLETC to accept transfers and temporary facility use, permit property exchanges to support the Artesia center, and require not continuing a 287(g) delegation if the DHS Inspector General finds a material violation. At least $5 million would be transferred to ICE for the Blue Campaign in FY2027, with Appropriations notice before obligation.
Limits federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions
If enacted, the bill would bar using funds in this Act to award money to local governments that have laws or policies limiting compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373 or that hinder federal immigration enforcement. A political subdivision found to have such a law or policy could lose eligibility for grants and awards under this Act. The rule targets local governments rather than individual people.
FEMA reporting penalties for DRF delays
If enacted, the bill would cut $100,000 per day from a FEMA oversight account for each day a required Disaster Relief Fund report is late to Appropriations and not published by the fifth business day. It would also cut $100,000 per day when more than 500 reimbursement requests are stuck in final review over 60 days, unless only lifesaving activities can be funded. The reductions would directly lower funds available for FEMA management and oversight when reporting or processing deadlines are missed.
Restrictions on some security transfers and treaties
If enacted, the bill would forbid federal officers from transferring an operable firearm to someone they know or suspect is a cartel agent unless U.S. law enforcement continuously controls the weapon. It would also bar using funds to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate ratifies it. These changes limit certain law-enforcement techniques while preventing treaty implementation without Senate approval.
Stronger oversight at immigration detention
If enacted, this bill would stop DHS from continuing contracts for detention facilities that get two back-to-back overall ratings below "adequate." It would bar destroying records about deaths, sexual assaults, or abuse in DHS custody and require those records be available in related litigation. Members of Congress could enter detention sites for oversight and DHS could not detain a U.S. citizen with these funds unless the citizen is arrestable under State or Federal law. It would also protect people recording public immigration enforcement so long as they do not obstruct operations.
FEMA grant caps and REP fees
If enacted, administrative costs charged to recipients of certain FEMA Federal Assistance grants would be limited to no more than 5% of the grant. Separately, DHS would set Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) fees so aggregate charges equal at least 100% of the program's anticipated costs, with collections treated as offsetting receipts available starting October 1, 2027. The changes would lower allowed admin overhead on grants but could raise costs for licensees covered by REP.
Rules for classified and intelligence money
If enacted, appropriations for DHS classified programs would have to follow the classified annex and be implemented consistent with section 545. Funds in this Act for intelligence activities would count as specifically authorized for FY2027 until a separate intelligence authorization is passed, and the Director of National Intelligence could transfer National Intelligence Program funds for urgent, unforeseen needs with DHS and OMB approval and subject to percentage caps and notification rules.
Tighter budget controls and transfer limits
If enacted, the bill would limit how DHS can move money between accounts. It would bar reprogramming that creates or expands congressionally denied programs and cap augmentations at $5,000,000 or 10 percent (whichever is less). The bill would allow limited transfers with notice, require the Secretary to show cuts if budgets assume fees not yet law, and let some working capital fund rules and up to 50% carryover of unused operations balances apply through September 30, 2028.
Tighter DHS acquisition and planning rules
If enacted, major DHS acquisition programs would face stronger quarterly briefings to Appropriations, required IV&V summaries, and five‑day transmittal of acquisition decision memoranda. DHS must do alternatives and cost‑benefit analyses before seeking DoD border support, and CBP cannot obligate procurement, construction, and improvements funds in this Act until it submits a 90‑day expenditure plan. The bill would also bar spending on projects that require an approved prospectus unless that prospectus is approved and allow merging of unexpended prior appropriations into new accounts under section 503 rules.
Stronger DHS contracting and procurement rules
If enacted, the bill would bar DHS from contracting with certain listed entities and would stop award or incentive fees for contractor work rated below satisfactory. It would bar buying computers, printers, and video services from firms with People's Republic of China ownership and ban non-autonomous border surveillance towers. The bill would also require multi-day advance notices to Appropriations Committees for major awards, add reporting for Technology Modernization Fund projects, limit some reimbursements for National Special Security Events, and raise documentation and post-completion reporting rules for pilots.
Ban on new land port crossing fees
If enacted, the bill would prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from creating or collecting any new fee for people crossing at land ports of entry on the Northern or Southern border. It would also bar the Department from studying such fees. The change would protect travelers and cross-border commerce from a new user charge.
Reimburse emergency personnel protection costs
If enacted, funds appropriated under section 90006 of Public Law 119–21 could also be used to reimburse emergency personnel costs for the protection activities listed in that section. Reimbursement would be subject to the availability and the same terms and conditions already in section 90006. Public sector emergency personnel and their employers could receive reimbursement when eligible under those rules.
Homeland Security schooling for dependents
If enacted, the authority that lets the Department provide primary and secondary schooling for eligible dependents of DHS employees would continue during fiscal year 2027. This would help DHS employees who have qualifying dependent children keep schooling support for that year. The continuation follows the authority first provided in earlier DHS appropriations law.
USCIS job protections and small limits
If enacted, USCIS could not run competitive outsourcing (A‑76) for several specified immigration job titles. USCIS would be allowed up to five replacement vehicles for areas without GSA lease vehicles and may permit those vehicles for employee residence‑to‑work travel. The bill would also cap USCIS reception and representation spending from the fee account at $2,500 for fiscal year 2027.
More small-business contracting chances
If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security would be allowed to run prototype projects like the Department of Defense through September 30, 2027, and could use the "nontraditional government contractor" definition. Operations and Support funds could buy small items costing $250,000 or less and real property projects costing $4,000,000 or less. These changes would give nontraditional and smaller companies more chances to compete for prototype and minor procurements. The authority to use the DoD-like prototype rules would end on September 30, 2027.
Judge review for third-country removals
If enacted, ICE would not be allowed to use these funds to remove someone to a third country unless an immigration judge has issued a removal order to that country. The change would add a judicial check before third-country removals paid for with funds in this Act.
More transparency to Appropriations
If enacted, DHS would have to send monthly budget and staffing reports to Appropriations within 30 days after each month, post required reports publicly after Appropriations has had 45 days to review, and the officials required to report or certify to Appropriations could not delegate that duty. DHS would also have to notify Congress quickly when starting protective details for covered former officials and report quarterly on costs and scope.
Safer care and IDs in custody
If enacted, DHS would be required to limit most restraints on pregnant or recently postpartum people in custody and follow clinical standards to protect maternal and infant health. DHS would have to adopt minimum training and use‑of‑force standards for CBP and ICE law enforcement within 90 days and require visible agency and badge numbers for civilian immigration officers within 90 days, with a report to Appropriations in 120 days. Restraints could be used only in narrow safety or medical cases and may not be used during active labor.
Faster FEMA grants and briefings
If enacted, FEMA would have to brief the House and Senate Appropriations Committees five full business days before publicly announcing certain Federal Assistance grant awards. If FEMA announced earlier, $1,000,000 would be rescinded from FEMA—Operations and Support and Mission Support. For specified Federal Assistance grants, applications would be posted within 60 days of enactment, applicants would have 80 days to apply, and FEMA would have 65 days to act after receiving an application. These rules aim to speed awards and increase transparency for disaster victims and local governments.
One-time CISA funding transfer
If enacted, $99,750,000 would be transferred to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Operations and Support from previously appropriated unobligated balances. The transfer would be available upon enactment and would support CISA program operations. The amounts would continue to be treated under the same statutory terms referenced in prior appropriations guidance.
Ban on DEI work and stricter networks
If enacted, DHS could not use funds in this Act for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, training, or offices, or for programs that promote Critical Race Theory. The bill would also bar using Act funds to create or run networks that allow viewing, downloading, or sharing pornography, with an exception for law enforcement uses in investigations.
Cuts to unused DHS balances
If enacted, the bill would rescind $18,492,258 from specified unobligated DHS accounts, including amounts from the DHS Nonrecurring Expenses Fund and several U.S. Customs and CISA balances. The rescissions would take back those listed unused funds. Amounts Congress designated as emergency requirements could not be rescinded.
Stricter student visa and parole rules
If enacted, the bill would bar admitting someone at a port of entry on an F or M visa if the intended school is not accredited by a nationally recognized agency. It would also prohibit paroleing nationals of the People’s Republic of China into the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for visa-free temporary visits using these funds. The changes narrow entry options for some foreign students and some CNMI visitors.
Ban on some aerosol‑dispensing drones
If enacted, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be prohibited from admitting aerosol‑dispensing unmanned aircraft systems produced or manufactured in a country the law defines as a foreign adversary. The ban would take effect upon enactment.
Limits on DHS pay, travel, and support
If enacted, DHS could not implement major structural pay reforms or new job classifications affecting over 100 positions or costing more than $5 million until Congress is notified and 30 days pass. The bill would allow Operations and Support funds to pay for an employee emergency back‑up care program. It would limit DHS funding of first‑class travel that violates federal rules and cap funded travel to international conferences at 50 employees per component and $500,000 total unless the Secretary notifies Appropriations 10 days before.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
NV • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov