S. 3516 (118th): A bill to impose a fee on certain remittance transfers to fund border security.

The bill S. 3516 proposes a 10% fee on money transfers sent from the United States to other countries, which would be paid by the sender. The collected fees would fund border security measures, including hiring more Border Patrol agents, constructing a barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border, and building detention facilities for undocumented immigrants. U.S. citizens can claim a tax credit for the transfer fees they pay. Violators of this bill face penalties, and countries that help violators will lose eligibility for U.S. foreign aid and immigration programs.

S. 3516 introduces a strategic approach to enhance U.S. border security by imposing a 10% fee on international remittances, providing a dedicated funding source for hiring more Border Patrol agents, building border infrastructure, and expanding detention facilities. This initiative aims to strengthen national security while offering U.S. citizens a corresponding tax credit to offset the transfer costs. The bill also discourages foreign countries from aiding violators by restricting their access to U.S. assistance programs.

Critics argue that S. 3516 unfairly targets immigrants by imposing a 10% fee on remittances, a vital financial lifeline for many families abroad. The bill may disproportionately affect low-income individuals who rely on these transfers. Additionally, the funding focus on border barriers and detention facilities raises concerns about the humanitarian impact and the potential strain on U.S. foreign relations with countries that might be penalized for harboring violators.

The main potential conflict of interest in this case is the overlap between the sponsor's donors and the bill's subject matter. The sponsor, James David Vance, has received significant donations from the 'Retired' industry, which is also affected by the bill's subject matter, immigration. However, the amount of overlap is relatively low, at $50,000,000 out of a total of $210,000,000 in donations. This suggests that the influence of this particular industry on the sponsor's decision-making may be limited. Additionally, there is lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, but none of the lobbyists are among the sponsor's top donors, which further reduces the risk of conflict of interest. The only exception is NSIGHT HEALTH, INC., which is also a donor, but the amount of their donation is undisclosed, making it difficult to assess the potential for conflict.

These industries are both affected by this bill and among the sponsor's top donors.

Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area. 1 lobbying client(s) are also sponsor donors.

Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026

Top industries funding James David Vance, ranked by total contributions.

Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)