Bipartisan legislation unveiled on July 11 by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) would enhance and expand the federal border security program known as Shadow Wolves, a Native American tactical patrol unit within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Border security is national security, and strengthening the Shadow Wolves program is one of the many ways we are working to deploy the personnel, infrastructure and technology needed to ensure we can restore and maintain operational control of the border,” Sen. Hoeven said.
The elite unit was established by congressional mandate in 1974 in response to rampant smuggling occurring through the Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona. The Shadow Wolves operate as a team and patrol the tribe’s 2.8 million acres, including a 76-mile stretch of land shared with Mexico.
The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act, S. 4676, which Sen. Hoeven cosponsored alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), would provide additional career mobility opportunities to Shadow Wolves law enforcement officers and expand the program to the northern border.
“Shadow Wolves agents do a tremendous job protecting against drug trafficking in Indian County,” said Sen. Hoeven. “As we work to expand this program, including up to the northern border, it is critical we can recruit, train, and retain qualified individuals in this initiative. That’s exactly what this legislation will help accomplish.”
If enacted, S. 4676 would give U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) the authority to convert Shadow Wolves from the excepted service to the competitive service following three years of satisfactory service to afford them career mobility and compensation parity with other ICE Homeland Security Investigation special agents, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Hoeven’s staff.
Additionally, S. 4676 would bolster recruitment and retainment efforts for Shadow Wolves to improve border security, and would codify the Government Accountability Office’s recommendations to improve and expand the Shadow Wolves program, the summary says.
“Tohono O’odham Nation’s Shadow Wolves are critical partners combating drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activity on our border,” said Sen. Sinema. “Our bill ensures career mobility and fair compensation for Shadow Wolves Agents so they can continue keeping the Tohono O’odham Nation and Arizona safe and secure.”
The measure has been referred to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration.