Bill seeks to bolster border security initiatives on Tribal Lands

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) said the House of Representatives’ advancement of the Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act (H.R. 5681) represents wins for border security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Katko is ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and introduced the measure, which seeks to enhance Shadow Wolves officers’ ability to stop illicit activity on Tribal Lands while also enabling officers to be reclassified as special agents with authority to patrol, investigate and interdict Southern Border illicit activities.

Shadow Wolves officers serve as part of an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tactical patrol unit presently executing duties on the Tohono O’odham Nation lands in southern Arizona, per authorities.

“Shadow Wolves officers perform critical duties that help stop drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activities at our Southern Border,” Katko said. “Unfortunately, it has been difficult to retain and recruit these officers due to pay and upward mobility limitations. This bill prioritizes long-term viability of the Shadow Wolves unit by allowing officers to be reclassified as special agents with appropriate authorities and pay. Their operations could not be more impressive. Every day these officers carry out a difficult mission under increasingly challenging circumstances while providing critical law enforcement expertise to our homeland security apparatus.”

Katko said he is proud to lead the effort to ensure Shadow Wolves officers are adequately compensated and able to continue border security missions.