U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) joined four of his Republican colleagues in urging the Trump administration to counter unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) at the nation’s southern border where they are being increasingly used by Mexican drug cartels and pose security risks to federal law enforcement officers.
“During our time at the border, we heard firsthand from commanders and supervisors on the ground regarding their concern to be able to conduct c-UAS operations should the cartels attempt a drone attack on U.S. service members or federal law enforcement,” wrote Rep. Ciscomani and the members in a March 18 letter sent to the heads of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The lawmakers requested the department leaders answer several questions about their jurisdiction and responsibility monitoring and countering unmanned drones, including which agency has primarily responsible for responding to UAS threats at the southern border; what steps are being taken to determine if a drone poses an immediate threat; and how quickly a determination can be made to take down a hostile drone if necessary, among others.
“As demonstrated in active conflict zones across the globe, small and mid-sized UAS systems have dramatically affected the battlefield,” the lawmakers wrote, noting that Congress has granted authorities to DOD and DHS to conduct c-UAS within the continental United States.
“However, as shown in recent cases, such as in Virginia and New Jersey, federal, state, and local law enforcement and the military have been reluctant to utilize these authorities or lack the equipment to respond,” Rep. Ciscomani and the members wrote.
They asked that the department heads respond to their inquiry within 30 days.