H.R. 4872House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Securing Our Borders and Wilderness Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 10:21 AM UTC

The Securing Our Borders and Wilderness Act amends the Wilderness Act to let U.S. Customs and Border Protection operate within wilderness areas that lie along the United States’ international land borders. It authorizes CBP to build structures, roads, and barriers, conduct search‑and‑rescue, patrol on foot or horseback, use motorized vehicles, boats, aircraft, and deploy tactical technology, all for border‑security purposes. The bill also requires CBP to carry out these activities in a manner that protects the wilderness character of the land as much as possible. It affects designated wilderness lands near the border and CBP operations in those areas.

Key Provisions

Adds a new provision allowing CBP access to wilderness areas for the purpose of securing international land borders
Permits CBP to construct access structures, installations, roads, and physical barriers within wilderness areas
Allows CBP to conduct search and rescue operations and patrol on foot or horseback
Authorizes use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, and aircraft in wilderness areas for CBP activities
Allows deployment of tactical infrastructure and technology in wilderness areas
Requires CBP to conduct all activities in a way that, to the extent possible, protects the wilderness character of the area

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee

July 25, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 25, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.

Natural Resources Committee

July 25, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee

July 25, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 25, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4872

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 25, 2023

Mr. Johnson of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Moylan, and Mr. Lamborn) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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

A BILL

To amend the Wilderness Act to authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct certain activities to secure the international land borders of the United States, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Securing Our Borders and Wilderness Act.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection access to wilderness areas

Section 4(d) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(8)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection access

(A)

Permissible activities

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may conduct the following activities within a wilderness area for the purpose of securing the international land borders of the United States:

(i)

Access structures, installations, and roads.

(ii)

Execute search and rescue operations.

(iii)

Use motor vehicles, motorboats, and motorized equipment.

(iv)

Conduct patrols on foot and on horseback.

(v)

Notwithstanding any other law or regulation relating specifically to use of aircraft in a wilderness area or in the airspace above a wilderness area, use aircraft, including approach, landing, and takeoff.

(vi)

Deploy tactical infrastructure and technology.

(vii)

Construct and maintain roads and physical barriers.

(B)

Protection of wilderness character

Any activity conducted by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under subparagraph (A) shall be carried out in a manner that, to the extent possible, protects the wilderness character of the area.