CONTAINER Act

# CONTAINER Act Summary The CONTAINER Act would streamline the process for border states to deploy temporary structures on federal lands near the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders for security purposes. Currently, states must obtain special permits to use federal land. This bill would eliminate that requirement, allowing border states to place movable structures (such as barriers or monitoring equipment) on federal lands adjacent to borders for up to one year without advance authorization from the Department of Interior or Forest Service. If border security goals haven't been met, states could request 90-day extensions, which must be approved by federal agencies if U.S.

Customs and Border Protection confirms operational control hasn't been achieved. The bill primarily affects border states and federal land management agencies. It aims to give states more flexibility in border security operations while reducing bureaucratic delays. The legislation reflects concerns about immigration enforcement, though it doesn't specify what types of structures would be allowed or include detailed environmental or safety standards for their placement on protected federal lands. **Current Status:** The bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on or passed by either chamber of Congress.