U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) recently toured border operations sites in the Rio Grande Valley to observe the progress various border agencies are making to ensure security along the United States’ international border with Mexico.
McSally’s delegation included U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials, U.S Border Patrol Chief Ronald Vitiello, U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI), and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX).
“Each section of our 2,000 mile southern border is different, with varying terrain and unique challenges facing law enforcement officials,” McSally said. “The cartels and other threats across the border will adapt accordingly depending on the region. That’s why our strategy needs to be equally as nimble and responsive to detect incursions and intercept them before they happen.”
The tour began with an expansive helicopter examination of the region, followed by a boat tour on the Rio Grande River. The group then toured the valley’s first centralized processing center and held discussions with local officials on the various challenges in securing the border.
McSally, who also chairs the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, recently held her first hearing on the threat posed by drug cartels in Northern Mexico.