Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act
What does the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act do?
S 850 is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH). The 2016 Northern Border Security Review Act (Public Law 114-267) required DHS to deliver a one-time Northern Border threat analysis to congressional committees within 180 days of enactment, covering current and potential terrorism and criminal threats, port-of-entry improvements, gaps in law or cooperation, and the case for expanded preclearance and preinspection. This bill converts that one-time analysis into a recurring deliverable and adds a strategy-update requirement. Beginning 180 days after enactment and every 3 years thereafter, DHS must submit an updated Northern Border threat analysis; the update must also assess recent changes in the amount and demographics of apprehensions at the sector level. DHS must update its Northern Border strategy within 18 months of enactment and every 5 years thereafter. Within 30 days of each threat analysis, DHS must provide a classified briefing to the appropriate committees.
Did S 850 pass? Where it stands
As of August 24, 2026, S 850 has passed the Senate.
Status: Passed Senate
Latest vote: Senate Passed by unanimous consent on August 5, 2026
Outlook: Likely
Key provisions
- Threat Analysis Becomes Recurring
- 2016 statute required a single Northern Border threat analysis within 180 days of enactment
- Bill amends it to every 3 years, starting 180 days after this bill's enactment
- New paragraph requires each analysis to include an assessment of recent changes in the amount and demographics of Northern Border apprehensions at the sector level
- Northern Border Strategy Updates
- DHS must update its Northern Border strategy within 18 months of enactment
- Strategy updates required every 5 years thereafter
- Each strategy update must incorporate the results of the most recent threat analysis
- Classified Briefings
- Not later than 30 days after each threat analysis, DHS must provide a classified briefing
- Briefing goes to the "appropriate congressional committees" defined in the 2016 statute (Senate: Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Appropriations, Judiciary; House: Homeland Security, Appropriations, Judiciary)
- Air and Marine Performance Measures
- Within 180 days of enactment, DHS (through the CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner of Air and Marine Operations) must develop performance measures
- Measures assess the effectiveness of Air and Marine Operations at securing the northern border between ports of entry
- Measures cover both the air and maritime environments
- No New Funds
- No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act or the amendments made by this Act
Last updated August 12, 2026