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Thursday, January 9th, 2025

Border

DHS unveils new anti-smuggling initiative

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new anti-smuggling initiative the agency said focuses on transnational criminal organizations affiliated with the smuggling of migrants. Authorities indicated Operation Sentinel is a collaborative effort with Customs and Border... Read More »

DHS releases report on cross-border e-commerce

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate Center of Excellence’s (COE) Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute (BTI) announced the release of a report on cross-border e-commerce. Working with the University of Houston, the report looked at... Read More »

Bill addresses migrant influx at southern border

A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to respond to the migrant influx at the southern border. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) joined Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in introducing the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act, maintaining the... Read More »

CBP initiates reimbursable service agreements

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have made 11 tentative selections for new reimbursable services agreements, noting the effort would enhance security, promote cross-border trade and facilitate domestic essential travel. “Reimbursable services agreements are a fundamental... Read More »

Bill targets border drug trafficking

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced last week the Eradicate Crossing of Illegal Tunnels (EXIT) Act, which expedites efforts to address cross border tunnels, removing red tape preventing law enforcement from acting. Hartzler said the bill would empower Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)... Read More »

Rep. Higgins seeks northern border reopening plan

Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) has forwarded correspondence to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas Higgins, seeking advanced proposals to reopen the United States-Canada border. “I write you to advocate that the Department immediately advance concrete proposals for a phased... Read More »

GAO assesses DHS border security improvement plan

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a recommendation to the Department of Homeland Security regarding its plan to improve border security, including the use of personnel, barriers, and technology. The GAO indicated its assessment of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS)... Read More »

CBP details March 2021 operational statistics

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said a review of its March 2021 operational statistics showed a continued trend of increased encounters and arrests. "We are committed to balancing the need to maintain border security, care for those in our custody and keep the American people and... Read More »

Reps. Cuellar, Katko introduce bill to manage migrant surges

U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation Friday to address migrant surges at the border that would hold agencies accountable and prevent children from being held longer than they should. The legislation, the Border Surge Response and Resilience Act, would... Read More »

Northern border smuggling, trafficking task force formed

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel have formed a task to address the illegal movement of firearms, ammunition, and explosives across the border. The initiative serves as another step forward to disrupting and dismantling the violations,... Read More »

Bill targets potential border surges

Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced last week a measure designed to address potential southwest border surges. The Border Surge Response and Resilience Act would require the Department of Homeland Security DHS and federal partners to establish a plan addressing border... Read More »

Bill seeks to empower immigration courts

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has introduced four bills designed to empower immigration courts and make offender aliens deportable. “The Biden administration’s reckless policies are openly inviting gangs and cartels to flock to the border, so it’s more urgent than ever that we ensure dangerous... Read More »

Lawmakers initiate southern border inquiry

A group of lawmakers forwarded correspondence last week to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel regarding southern border circumstances. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) spearheaded the effort to address the agency's, citing reports of illegal... Read More »

Bill targets foreign criminal organization sanctions

A group of lawmakers recently introduced the Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act, noting the legislation would subject foreign criminal organizations such as drug cartels to sanctions. Sens. Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Josh Hawley... Read More »

CBP details Chicago airport counterfeit mask seizure

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the International Mail Facility (IMF) at Chicago's O’Hare International Airport recently seized suspicious 3M N95 type masks with a 3M trademark. Officers assigned to the Port of Chicago seized parcels arriving from Colombia. Personnel... Read More »

DHS initiative addresses southwest border processing

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel said on Feb. 19 that the agency would begin the initial phase of a program designed to restore safe and orderly southwest border processing. Authorities indicated DHS would begin processing those who had been forced to remain in Mexico under... Read More »

CBP reopens biometric entry, exit system comment period

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reopened the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) biometrics comment period. “As a testament to CBP’s steadfast commitment to privacy principles and transparency, CBP reopened the comment... Read More »

Rep. Johnson introduces measure to bolster border safety

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has introduced a pair of bills designed to strengthen border security and protection. “America is the most compassionate nation in the world, but our immigration system is broken," Johnson, who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, said. "Reforming that system is a... Read More »

Border Patrol agents seize nearly $3M in meth in Laredo

Officers in Laredo seized more than $2.8 million worth of methamphetamine at the World Trade Bridge, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), said Wednesday. Officers assigned to the cargo facility at the World Trade Bridge encountered a tractor-trailer... Read More »

CBP initiates Simplified Arrival enhanced process

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Simplified Arrival, which uses facial biometrics to automate manual documentation required for admission, is being used at two California border crossings. The technology is being implemented at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa pedestrian border crossing... Read More »

DHS initiates Real ID public awareness campaign

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new nationwide Real ID public awareness campaign that addresses requirements while encouraging action before the Oct. 1, 2021, full enforcement deadline. "Be Your REAL ID Self" urges Americans to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card or an... Read More »

BIRD Foundation unveils project funding initiative

The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has awarded two projects a total of $1.5 million to address homeland security threat detection and 3D mapping technologies. The BIRD Homeland Security (HLS) program is a joint initiative funded by the Department of... Read More »

DHS report details alien border encounters

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have released the Fiscal Year 2020 Enforcement Lifecycle Report, an analysis of enforcement outcomes for aliens encountered at the Southwest Border. The report covers Fiscal Years 2014 through 2019. The Office of Immigration Statistics (OIS)... Read More »