This chapter is about the department that guards the border. It says the border should come first. It asks for many more officers and many more beds to hold people. It wants several visas ended. It also asks Congress to change a lot of immigration law. And it says parts of the department should be closed.
The document says “should”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 137 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Secretary therefore can and should use his or her inherent, discretionary leadership authority to “soft close” ineffective and problematic corners of the department.”
The chapter says this is pending a possible presidential decision to shrink or eliminate DHS itself. The Secretary would shift personnel, funding and operational responsibility away from the offices being closed and into what the chapter calls mission-essential components. It states that doing so would support a legislative move to shrink or dismantle the department by showing the agency can perform critical functions without its current bureaucracy.
What the document actually says
“The Secretary therefore can and should use his or her inherent, discretionary leadership authority to “soft close” ineffective and problematic corners of the department.”
That sentence, in plain words
So the Secretary can and should quietly shut parts of the department down. The parts that do not work.
What this is about
This department is very large. The book says parts of it should be closed down quietly. Staff and money would move to other parts. The book says this would help make the case to shut the whole department later.
The document says “is critical”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 135 in the PDF
What the document says
“Prioritizing border security and immigration enforcement, including detention and deportation, is critical”
The chapter says a conservative Administration needs to return the department to what it calls the right mission, size and budget, reorganising it and shifting significant resources away from supporting components to operational ones, with border security and immigration enforcement as the priority.
What the document actually says
“Prioritizing border security and immigration enforcement, including detention and deportation, is critical”
That sentence, in plain words
Guarding the border must come first. So must holding and sending back people who broke the rules.
What this is about
This department does many jobs. The book says the border should come first. It wants money moved from other parts to that work.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 143 in the PDF
What the document says
“ICE should be funded for a significant increase in detention space, raising the daily available number of beds to 100,000.”
The chapter asks Congress to mandate and fund additional detention space, raising the number of beds available each day to 100,000, and separately to fund at least 20,000 Enforcement and Removal Operations officers.
What the document actually says
“ICE should be funded for a significant increase in detention space, raising the daily available number of beds to 100,000.”
That sentence, in plain words
Give ICE money for many more beds. It should have 100,000 ready each day.
What this is about
ICE holds people while their cases are decided. It needs beds to do that. The book says it should have 100,000 beds. That is far more than it has now.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 143 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should fund ICE for at least 20,000 ERO officers”
Enforcement and Removal Operations is the ICE division responsible for arresting, detaining and removing people in the country unlawfully. The chapter asks Congress to fund at least 20,000 such officers, alongside 5,000 more in another category.
What the document actually says
“Congress should fund ICE for at least 20,000 ERO officers”
That sentence, in plain words
Congress should pay for at least 20,000 more officers who send people home.
What this is about
Some ICE officers arrest people and send them home. The book says there should be at least 20,000 of them.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 141 in the PDF
What the document says
“Eliminate T and U visas. Victimization should not be a basis for an immigration benefit.”
T and U visas allow victims of trafficking and of certain crimes to stay in the United States. The chapter says victimisation should not be a basis for an immigration benefit, that the S visa already exists for witnesses actively helping law enforcement, and that until the T and U visas are repealed their eligibility should be significantly restricted to prevent fraud.
What the document actually says
“Eliminate T and U visas. Victimization should not be a basis for an immigration benefit.”
That sentence, in plain words
Get rid of these two visas. Being a victim should not win you the right to stay.
What this is about
Two visas exist for people who were hurt by crime. One is for victims of trafficking. The book says these should end. It says being a victim should not be a reason to stay.
The document says “must”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 148 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress must end the Flores Settlement Agreement by explicitly setting nationwide terms and standards for family and unaccompanied detention and housing.”
The Flores settlement sets limits on how long and in what conditions immigrant children may be held. The chapter asks Congress to end it by setting nationwide standards instead, and says those standards should allow large-scale use of temporary facilities such as tents.
What the document actually says
“Congress must end the Flores Settlement Agreement by explicitly setting nationwide terms and standards for family and unaccompanied detention and housing.”
That sentence, in plain words
Congress must end this old court deal. It should set its own rules for holding families and children.
What this is about
A court deal limits how children can be held. It sets how long and in what conditions. The book says Congress should end it. It says tents could then be used.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 145 in the PDF
What the document says
“the diversity visa lottery should be repealed, chain migration should be ended while focusing on the nuclear family”
The chapter asks for a merit-based immigration system rewarding high-skilled applicants in place of what it calls a system favoring extended family and luck of the draw. It proposes repealing the diversity visa lottery, ending extended-family migration in favor of the nuclear family, and replacing the employment visa program with one awarding visas only to what it calls the best and brightest.
What the document actually says
“the diversity visa lottery should be repealed, chain migration should be ended while focusing on the nuclear family”
That sentence, in plain words
End the visa lottery. End the rule that lets wider family follow. Keep it to close family only.
What this is about
Some visas are handed out by lottery. Others let family members follow. The book wants both changed. It wants visas given for skills instead.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 149 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should also permanently authorize E-Verify and make it mandatory.”
E-Verify is the federal system employers use to check whether a new hire may lawfully work in the United States. It is currently voluntary for most employers. The chapter asks Congress to make it permanent and mandatory, alongside narrowing who is statutorily eligible to work.
What the document actually says
“Congress should also permanently authorize E-Verify and make it mandatory.”
That sentence, in plain words
Congress should keep E-Verify for good. It should make every employer use it.
What this is about
Employers can check if a new hire may work here. The system is called E-Verify. Most do not have to use it. The book says all of them should.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 148 in the PDF
What the document says
“The standard for a credible fear of persecution should be raised and aligned to the standard for asylum.”
Credible fear is the initial screening a person must pass to have an asylum claim heard, and its threshold is lower than the standard for winning asylum. The chapter asks that the two be aligned and that the screening account specifically for credibility determinations.
What the document actually says
“The standard for a credible fear of persecution should be raised and aligned to the standard for asylum.”
That sentence, in plain words
Raise the first test people must pass. Make it as hard as the full asylum test.
What this is about
People who ask for asylum face a first check. It is easier than the full test. The book says the first check should be just as hard.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 148 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should eliminate the particular social group protected ground as vague and overbroad”
Asylum law protects people persecuted on five grounds, one of which is membership of a particular social group. The chapter says that ground is vague and overbroad and should be eliminated, or else given a clear definition that at a minimum codifies the holding that gang violence and domestic violence are not grounds for asylum.
What the document actually says
“Congress should eliminate the particular social group protected ground as vague and overbroad”
That sentence, in plain words
One reason for asylum is being part of a group. The book says that reason is too broad. It says Congress should remove it.
What this is about
Asylum is given for five reasons. One is belonging to a certain group. Courts have argued about what that means. The book says it is too vague and should go.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 149 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should halt funds given to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to process and transport illegal aliens into and throughout the United States.”
The chapter asks that such funds and infrastructure, including the department's joint processing centers, be redirected to securing the border, detaining people and providing space for immigration court proceedings.
What the document actually says
“Congress should halt funds given to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to process and transport illegal aliens into and throughout the United States.”
That sentence, in plain words
Congress should stop paying charities to move people through the country.
What this is about
Charities help process and move people at the border. Some get federal money for it. The book says that money should stop. It should go to the border instead.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 150 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should eliminate ambiguous discretionary language in Title 8 that aliens “may” be detained and clarify that aliens “shall” be detained.”
The chapter says the word may creates ambiguity that lets the executive branch ignore the will of Congress, and asks for it to be replaced with shall so that detention is mandatory rather than discretionary.
What the document actually says
“Congress should eliminate ambiguous discretionary language in Title 8 that aliens “may” be detained and clarify that aliens “shall” be detained.”
That sentence, in plain words
The law says people may be held. The book says change it to must be held.
What this is about
One word in the law matters here. It says people may be held. That leaves a choice. The book says it should say must.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 150 in the PDF
What the document says
“Congress should require compliance with immigration detainers to the maximum extent consistent with the Tenth Amendment and set financial disincentives for jurisdictions that implement either official or unofficial sanctuary policies.”
A detainer is a request from ICE that a local jail hold someone past their release date. The chapter asks Congress to require compliance as far as the Tenth Amendment allows and to set financial penalties for places with official or unofficial sanctuary policies. It also asks Congress to authorize state and local police to take part in immigration enforcement.
What the document actually says
“Congress should require compliance with immigration detainers to the maximum extent consistent with the Tenth Amendment and set financial disincentives for jurisdictions that implement either official or unofficial sanctuary policies.”
That sentence, in plain words
Make local jails hold people for ICE. Cut money to the places that refuse.
What this is about
ICE can ask a local jail to hold someone. Some cities refuse to do it. The book says the law should make them. It says those that refuse should lose money.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Congress, Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: legislationp. 152 in the PDF
What the document says
“Such rule and regulation making shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.”
The chapter proposes statutory language letting the Secretary, on determining that an actual or anticipated mass migration presents urgent circumstances, and with the President's approval, make rules barring the entry of people from designated countries and expelling them. The quoted sentence exempts those rules from the Administrative Procedure Act, which sets the normal notice and comment requirements. The chapter further proposes that the Secretary be able to waive any requirement of Title 8 he or she judges necessary.
What the document actually says
“Such rule and regulation making shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.”
That sentence, in plain words
These new rules would not have to follow the usual law for making rules.
What this is about
There is a law about how rules get made. It requires notice and public comment. The book asks for a new power that skips it. It would be used when many people arrive at once.
The document says “should”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 147 in the PDF
What the document says
“USCIS should be classified as a national security–sensitive agency, and all of its employees should be classified as holding national security–sensitive positions.”
The chapter says leaks must be investigated and punished as in a national security agency, that the union should be decertified, and that employees who cannot conform to those standards should be separated. It adds that the agency's Washington presence should be skeletal and that staff should be rotated out to offices around the country.
What the document actually says
“USCIS should be classified as a national security–sensitive agency, and all of its employees should be classified as holding national security–sensitive positions.”
That sentence, in plain words
Treat this agency as one that guards national safety. Treat every worker there the same way.
What this is about
This agency handles visas and citizenship. The book says it should count as a security agency. Its staff would lose their union. Leaks would be punished.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 154 in the PDF
What the document says
“The NFIP should be wound down and replaced with private insurance starting with the least risky areas currently identified by the program.”
The National Flood Insurance Program provides federally backed flood cover where private insurers generally will not. The chapter says its subsidies encourage development in flood zones and increase potential losses to the program and the taxpayer, and asks for it to be wound down and replaced by private insurance, starting with the least risky areas.
What the document actually says
“The NFIP should be wound down and replaced with private insurance starting with the least risky areas currently identified by the program.”
That sentence, in plain words
Close down the federal flood insurance plan. Let private firms cover those homes instead. Start with the safest areas.
What this is about
Homes in flood areas are hard to insure. So the government sells the cover itself. The book says that helps people build in risky places. It wants private firms to take over.
The document says “should”Who acts: CongressHow: legislationp. 154 in the PDF
What the document says
“DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated.”
The chapter argues from federalism that states better understand their own needs and should bear the costs of their own programs, and says the department's grants to states and localities should be ended. It notes that doing so requires Congress, which it says repeatedly votes to fund the grants for political reasons.
What the document actually says
“DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated.”
That sentence, in plain words
This department should not hand out money. These grants should end.
What this is about
The department gives money to states and towns. It pays for things like police training. The book says that should stop. It says states should pay for their own needs.
The document says “should”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland Security, CBPHow: internal managementp. 139 in the PDF
What the document says
“CBP should restart and expand use of the horseback-mounted Border Patrol.”
The chapter asks that the mounted Border Patrol be restarted and expanded, and that as part of the announcement the Secretary clear the records and personnel files of agents the chapter says were falsely accused by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of whipping migrants, and issue a formal apology on behalf of the department and CBP.
What the document actually says
“CBP should restart and expand use of the horseback-mounted Border Patrol.”
That sentence, in plain words
Bring back the border agents who ride horses. Use more of them.
What this is about
Some border agents patrol on horseback. Their use was cut back after a dispute. The book says to bring them back. It also asks for an apology to those agents.
The document says “should”Who acts: USCISHow: internal managementp. 146 in the PDF
What the document says
“all applicants rejected for any benefit or status adjudication should be required to leave the U.S. immediately.”
The chapter frames this as lasting at least until the agency has cleared its case backlogs. It separately proposes pausing intake of applications in any category where backlogs become excessive, until the caseload is manageable again.
What the document actually says
“all applicants rejected for any benefit or status adjudication should be required to leave the U.S. immediately.”
That sentence, in plain words
Anyone turned down for a visa or status should have to leave at once.
What this is about
People apply to stay in the country. Some are turned down. The book says they should leave right away.
The document says “should”Who acts: President, Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 135 in the PDF
What the document says
“A conservative Administration should return CISA to its statutory and important but narrow mission.”
The chapter states that CISA has been, in its words, weaponised by the Left to censor speech and affect elections. It asks that the agency's funding align narrowly with cyber defense and critical infrastructure, that its emergency communications and chemical facility roles move to FEMA, that its school security functions move to state offices, and that it not duplicate work done at Defense, the FBI and the National Security Agency.
What the document actually says
“A conservative Administration should return CISA to its statutory and important but narrow mission.”
That sentence, in plain words
Give this agency back its first job. Keep it small and clear.
What this is about
This agency protects computer systems from attack. The book says it went beyond that job. It says the agency should go back to its first task and do nothing else.
The document says “should”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 155 in the PDF
What the document says
“Of the utmost urgency is immediately ending CISA’s counter-mis/disinformation efforts. The federal government cannot be the arbiter of truth.”
The chapter says the agency began this work over alleged Russian misinformation in the 2016 election, which it describes as in fact a Clinton campaign dirty trick, and that the Twitter Files show the agency has become what it calls an unconstitutional censoring and election engineering apparatus of the political Left. It says foreign actors should be countered by the Intelligence Community instead, that the entire Cybersecurity Advisory Committee should be dismissed on day one, and that on elections the agency should help states check their cyber hygiene and do nothing more.
What the document actually says
“Of the utmost urgency is immediately ending CISA’s counter-mis/disinformation efforts. The federal government cannot be the arbiter of truth.”
That sentence, in plain words
Stop this agency's work on false information at once. The government should not decide what is true.
What this is about
This agency worked on false claims spread online. The book says that is not the government's job. It says the work should stop at once.
The document says “should”Who acts: Secretary of Homeland SecurityHow: internal managementp. 138 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Secretary should make it clear that he or she will not use the Secretary’s existing discretionary authority to increase the number of H-2B”
The H-2B visa covers seasonal non-agricultural workers and the Secretary may raise its cap. The chapter asks the Secretary to state that this authority will not be used, and separately that no regulation be issued in support of the eligible country list, so that applicants are not favored by nationality. It frames both as supporting American workers.
What the document actually says
“The Secretary should make it clear that he or she will not use the Secretary’s existing discretionary authority to increase the number of H-2B”
That sentence, in plain words
The Secretary can let in more seasonal workers. The book says he should say he will not.
What this is about
Some visas are for seasonal jobs. There is a cap on how many. The Secretary is allowed to raise it. The book says he should promise not to.
The document says “should”Who acts: Congress, PresidentHow: legislationp. 134 in the PDF
What the document says
“Alternatively, USCG should be moved to DOD for all purposes.”
The chapter raises moving the Coast Guard out of Homeland Security and into the Defense Department as an alternative option. It separately asks that the Coast Guard fleet be sized for great-power competition, that it focus on home waters and the Pacific to counter Chinese influence, and that personnel dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine be brought back with time in service credited.
What the document actually says
“Alternatively, USCG should be moved to DOD for all purposes.”
That sentence, in plain words
Or else the Coast Guard should move to the Defense Department for good.
What this is about
The Coast Guard guards American waters. It sits inside the homeland department now. The book says it could move to the defense department instead.
Recommendations across the Office of the Secretary, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the legislative agenda, FEMA, the Coast Guard, the cyber agency and the Secret Service.
The chapter's account of conditions at the border, its characterizations of the Biden Administration, and a large number of operational and procedural items such as internal memoranda, staffing arrangements and case-processing mechanics. Many detailed proposals are not recorded here.
This chapter contains more discrete recommendations than any indexed so far. What is here is a selection of the substantive policy changes. The chapter also proposes shrinking or dismantling the department itself, which is recorded, but its many component-level reorganisations are only partly covered.
