Sen. Donna Lowenthal, a Mississippi Republican, said she has scheduled legislation aimed at northern border immigration enforcement and port-of-entry security for debate during the Senate’s October 2026 session.

The Northern Border Security and Public Safety Coordination Act was introduced by Sen. Bob Hastings, a Republican from North Dakota. According to Lowenthal’s press release, the measure would seek to strengthen coordination on immigration enforcement among federal, state and local authorities and improve security and screening procedures at ports of entry along the U.S. northern border.

Lowenthal said the proposal addresses what she described as a core federal responsibility to protect the country’s borders and prevent dangerous individuals from entering communities.

“That responsibility requires more than promises,” Lowenthal said in the release. “It requires clear procedures, cooperation between agencies, and measurable results.”

The release did not provide bill text, funding details, specific changes to screening rules, or an estimate of how the proposed coordination provisions would operate. It also did not identify any scheduled vote date beyond consideration during the October Senate session.

Lowenthal said the legislation contains constitutional and privacy safeguards, along with regular reporting requirements for Congress. Those reports would cover implementation, processing times and coordination outcomes, according to the release.

“Effective immigration enforcement and respect for constitutional protections are not mutually exclusive,” Lowenthal said. She said agencies should identify public-safety threats, work efficiently with one another and remain accountable for how they use their authority.

The bill arrives as immigration and border policy remain high-salience issues in a politically polarized national environment. Republicans have generally emphasized border enforcement and public safety, while Democrats and allied critics have often focused on civil liberties, due process and oversight of executive enforcement powers.

The Senate is currently controlled by Republicans, who hold 26 seats. Democrats hold 23 seats, while one independent caucuses with Democrats.

Lowenthal, who was sworn into the Senate in August 2026, said congressional reporting would allow lawmakers to determine whether federal resources and enforcement procedures are producing measurable results.

“Americans deserve an immigration system that takes public safety seriously and a government that can demonstrate it is doing its job,” she said.

The legislation is expected to be considered by the full Senate during the October session.