Toward strengthening security at the nation’s southern border, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on Jan. 9 unveiled a bipartisan, bicameral bill to reinforce law enforcement communication and coordination in the region.
“U.S. Border Patrol agents have been completely overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of illegal aliens arriving at our border,” Sen. Blackburn said, “and we need to strengthen border security by improving communication and coordination on the ground.”
Sen. Blackburn signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Advanced Border Coordination Act, S. 41, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to establish Joint Operations Centers along the southern border of the United States, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
“By establishing joint operation centers along the southern border, the Advanced Border Coordination Act would improve field operations and better equip Border Patrol to go after transnational gangs and hamper drug and human trafficking,” said Sen. Blackburn.
Rep. Joyce sponsored the same-named H.R. 285 in the U.S. House of Representatives alongside three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV).
“This bill is a step towards restoring the rule of law and securing our borders by establishing critical joint operations centers to detect drug and human trafficking and disrupt criminal networks,” Rep. Joyce said. “Americans deserve to feel safe, and to actually be safe, and this bill will help accomplish that goal.”
If enacted, the Advanced Border Coordination Act would direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to establish at least two joint operations centers along the southern border to help coordinate law enforcement from multiple federal, state, local, and tribal agencies.
Additionally, the bill would establish these centralized hubs to improve field operations, help detect and deter criminal activity like drug and human trafficking, and support training coordination between participating agencies, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
The bill also would require an annual report to Congress on the centers’ operational activities and recommendations for coordinated federal actions at the southern border, the summary says.