No Funding for Illegal Migrant Billboards Act
No Funding for Illegal Migrant Billboards Act would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to block the use of federal funds to advertise the Immigration Detention Ombudsman to the general public. Specifically, the bill adds a new provision stating that the Secretary of Homeland Security may not obligate or expend funds to advertise the Ombudsman’s office or its functions, including by billboard or any other advertising method. In short, it eliminates government-funded public outreach about the Ombudsman’s office, reducing publicly funded efforts to inform people about how to contact or use the Ombudsman. The measure is narrowly targeted at advertising and does not create new programs or duties beyond prohibiting funding for public advertising of the Ombudsman.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on advertising: The Secretary of Homeland Security may not obligate or expend any funds to advertise, to the general public, the office or functions of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, including by billboard or otherwise.
- 2Scope of advertising: The ban covers all advertising to the general public, not just billboards; “or otherwise” indicates multiple advertising channels could be affected.
- 3Legislative vehicle: The restriction is added as a new subsection (f) to Section 405 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 205).
- 4Subject and agency: Applies to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (the office and its functions).
- 5Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the House on January 9, 2025 as H.R. 259; sponsored by Mr. Biggs (with Mr. Ogles and Mr. Harris as co-sponsors); referred to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees.