109th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 4830

To amend chapter 27 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unauthorized construction, financing, or reckless permitting (on one's land) the construction or use of a tunnel or subterranean passageway between the United States and another country.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 1, 2006

Mr. DREIER (for himself, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mrs. DAVIS of California, and Ms. HARMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend chapter 27 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unauthorized construction, financing, or reckless permitting (on one's land) the construction or use of a tunnel or subterranean passageway between the United States and another country.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006'.

SEC. 2. CONSTRUCTION OF BORDER TUNNEL OR PASSAGE.

    (a) In General- Chapter 27 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 554. Border tunnels and passages

    `(a) Any person who knowingly constructs or finances the construction of a tunnel or subterranean passage that crosses the international border between the United States and another country, other than a lawfully authorized tunnel or passage known to the Secretary of Homeland Security and subject to inspection by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years.

    `(b) Any person who recklessly permits the construction or use of a tunnel or passage described in subsection (a) on land that the person owns or controls shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years.

    `(c) Any person who uses a tunnel or passage described in subsection (a) to unlawfully smuggle an alien, goods (in violation of section 545), controlled substances, weapons of mass destruction (including biological weapons), or a member of a terrorist organization (as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi))) shall be subject to twice the penalty that would have otherwise been imposed had the unlawful activity not made use of such a tunnel or passage.'.

    (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for chapter 27 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

      `554. Border tunnels and passages.'.

    (c) Criminal Forfeiture- Section 982(a)(6) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting `554,' before `1425,'.

SEC. 3. DIRECTIVE TO THE UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION.

    (a) In General- Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of offenses described in section 554 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 1.

    (b) Requirements- In carrying out this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall--

      (1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary reflect the serious nature of the offenses described in section 554 of title 18, United States Code, and the need for aggressive and appropriate law enforcement action to prevent such offenses;

      (2) provide adequate base offense levels for offenses under such section;

      (3) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that might justify exceptions, including--

        (A) the use of a tunnel or passage described in subsection (a) of such section to facilitate other felonies; and

        (B) the circumstances for which the sentencing guidelines currently provide applicable sentencing enhancements;

      (4) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant directives, other sentencing guidelines, and statutes;

      (5) make any necessary and conforming changes to the sentencing guidelines and policy statements; and

      (6) ensure that the sentencing guidelines adequately meet the purposes of sentencing set forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code.

END