On Monday, U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced legislation to support Shadow Wolves agents and strengthen border security.
The legislation, the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act, would provide career mobility opportunities to Shadow Wolves law enforcement officers and expand the program to the northern border. Shadow Wolves are a unit within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made up of various members from Native American tribes. The unit patrols the 76-mile stretch of land that the Tohono O’odham Nation shares with Mexico and is known for its ability to track drug traffickers.
Previously, Hoeven and Sinema introduced legislation that would classify the Shadow Wolves as special agents, allowing them to better patrol, investigate, interdict and secure the southern border, while requiring DHS to come up with a plan to expand the program to other parts of the U.S. The current legislation would address issues that prevent Shadow Wolves agents from having the same career opportunities as other special agents, and afford them career mobility and compensation parity with other ICE Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) special agents. The legislation also strengthens Shadow Wolves recruitment and retainment efforts and codifies the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendations to improve and expand the program.
“Border security is national security, and strengthening the Shadow Wolves program is one of the many ways we are working to deploy the personnel, infrastructure and technology needed to ensure we can restore and maintain operational control of the border,” Hoeven said. “Shadow Wolves agents do a tremendous job protecting against drug trafficking in Indian County. As we work to expand this program, including up to the northern border, it is critical we can recruit, train and retain qualified individuals in this initiative. That’s exactly what this legislation will help accomplish.”
The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and James Lankford (D-AZ). Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-TN) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).