Slotkin to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Border Security

HOLLY, Mich. –– U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, will introduce a bipartisan bill to enhance security at our northern and southern borders by employing new technology. Slotkin's Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law Enforcement (INTEL) at Our Borders Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to create a comprehensive strategy for identifying, deploying, and integrating emerging technologies into our border security.

A bipartisan group of members, representing both northern and southern border states, and who are all members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, are co-leading the bill: U.S. Reps. Spanberger (D-VA), Garbarino (R-NY), and Gonzales (R-TX). Slotkin also spearheaded the bill in the 116th Congress.

This bill would facilitate the replacement of outdated security measures with new technologies, and ensure that new equipment and strategies are deployed comprehensively along both the northern and southern borders. The bill also empowers Congress to conduct more effective oversight by providing information on acquisition, testing, and scaling of new technology by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

"Our immigration system is broken, and politicians in both parties have been complicit in failing to responsibly address it for decades. The only way to actually deal with this issue is by working across the aisle – and that's what my bipartisan legislation does," said Congresswoman Slotkin. "I reject the false choice between securing our borders and remaining a country that's welcoming to immigrants looking for a better life in the United States. We can and must do both – for our national security, to live in accordance with our values, and to benefit our economy and the small businesses who are suffering due to worker shortages. This bill, in partnership with Members from both northern and southern border states, is a step in that direction."

"In order to properly secure our borders, we need to utilize a number of different resources to augment the work of our agents, including new and advanced technologies," said Congressman Gonzales. "For most stretches along our border, like the Big Bend, Del Rio, and El Paso Sectors in my district, technology is a force multiplier and crucial to surveilling remote areas. Incorporating technology at our border will relieve our agents who are already spread thin and address unique challenges across our border terrain. I am proud to join Rep. Slotkin and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to create a comprehensive strategy to deploy border technology efficiently."

"As a former federal agent and CIA officer, I understand the threats our nation is facing at its borders — and I know that the complexity of these threats is only escalating. In the face of narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal migration at our southern border, we need to step up our game and keep up with the latest trends in technology," said Congresswoman Spanberger. "That's why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan INTEL at Our Borders Act, which would facilitate replacing outdated security technologies, prevent deadly drugs like fentanyl from making it to our streets, and help border personnel get the cutting-edge tools they need to keep our communities safe. I want to thank my friend and colleague Congresswoman Sloktin for her strong leadership on issues of border security."

"With the crisis at our southern border only worsening, it's imperative that we arm our Customs and Border Protection with every available tool to secure the border and deal with the influx of illegal crossings," said Congressman Garbarino. "That means more manpower and technology, updated security measures, and a comprehensive strategy to resolve security shortfalls. This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to identify and deploy such commonsense measures and thereby take meaningful steps to address this crisis."

The Bipartisan Policy Center offered a strong endorsement of Slotkin's bill.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection are tasked with monitoring and securing both our northern and southern borders – a daunting task considering the large amount of land and diversity of the terrain," said Laura Hall, Managing Director, Bipartisan Policy Center Action. "Using technology to assist in their mission is an opportunity to improve awareness at our borders and reduce strains on personnel. Bipartisan Policy Center Action supports the bipartisan Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law-Enforcement (INTEL) at Our Borders Act, which requires DHS to create a comprehensive strategy for identifying, deploying, and integrating emerging technologies into border security and applauds the work of Rep. Elissa Slotkin to champion this important legislation."

Earlier this month, Slotkin sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to push the administration on securing the border and boosting the number of H-2B seasonal guest-worker visas for employers looking to bring on workers by April 1. Doing so would benefit seasonal businesses across Michigan which have struggled in recent years to hire enough workers.

"As a former CIA officer and Pentagon official, I know we desperately need a strategic approach to immigration that vigilantly secures our borders and protects our sovereignty; [and] tailors our legal immigration to best strengthen the U.S. economy," Slotkin wrote in the letter. "Both parties in Congress have been derelict in their duty to rise above partisan concerns to address this obvious need."

The INTEL at Our Borders Act will require DHS to:

• Assess how CBP is currently using new and emerging technologies for border security
• Assess existing gaps in situational awareness along the northern and southern borders and identify how new technology programs can help fill those gaps;
• Explain how DHS plans to replace outdated programs with new technologies;
• Describe how DHS will evaluate the effectiveness of new technologies;
• Analyze how DHS is identifying and procuring new technologies to determine if new processes are necessary.
• Explain how CBP is coordinating with DHS's Science and Technology Directorate to research and develop new technologies, and to incentivize the private sector to develop technologies to meet CBP's mission needs.