H.R. 4119: Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012

112th Congress · introduced 2012-03-01 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 112-127.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2012-03-01 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 256 (2012): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR4119 (2012-05-16), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 112-127. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on May 16, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) subject anyone who attempts or conspires to construct or finance construction of an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage that crosses the international border between the United States and another country, or to use such a tunnel for smuggling, to the penalties prescribed for someone who commits such an offense; (2) make such a border tunnel offense a predicate offense for a money laundering violation and for authorization for interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications; and (3) provide for the criminal forfeiture of proceeds of such an offense and the seizure and forfeiture of merchandise introduced into the United States through such a tunnel. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should continue outreach efforts to educate landowners and tenants in areas along the border between Mexico and the United States about cross-border tunnels and seek their assistance in combating tunnel construction. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an annual report describing: (1) cross-border tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border discovered during the preceding fiscal year; and (2) the needs of DHS to effectively prevent, investigate, and prosecute construction of such tunnels.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)

Recorded votes

House roll call 256 (2012): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR4119 (2012-05-16): Passed

Words on this page, explained (3)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112hr4119.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/hr>

Record fed-us-cong112-hr4119 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112