Stefanik introduces bipartisan bill to bolster U.S. border security strategy

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) recently introduced bipartisan legislation directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a comprehensive strategy that would integrate emerging technologies into the nation’s border security strategy.

Rep. Stefanik signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law Enforcement (INTEL) at Our Borders Act, H.R. 8230, with bill sponsor U.S Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), which also would express the sense of Congress that a lack of personnel exists along the northern border of the United States, despite it being twice the length of the southern border.

“I am proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation, which will shed light on the unique difficulties that our Customs and Border Protection personnel and other law enforcement experience, including a shortage of agents available, and provide DHS with a framework to make improvements,” Rep. Stefanik said on Monday. “Because of the unique geography of the northern border, the implementation of new emerging technologies is also an important component of this bill.”

If enacted, H.R. 8230 would require DHS to assess how it uses emerging technologies for border security to identify existing gaps in situational awareness along the U.S. northern and southern borders and how emerging technology programs can help fill those gaps, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stefanik’s office.

Additionally, DHS would have to explain how it plans to replace legacy programs with new technologies; describe how the department will evaluate the effectiveness of new technology programs; and explain how it is working to research and develop new technologies to improve border security, among other duties, according to the summary.

“As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, I work closely with local leaders to introduce legislation that supports our unique northern border needs,” said Rep. Stefanik. “I will continue to work with our U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and DHS to advocate for our northern border at the federal level, and I look forward to advancing this legislation in a bipartisan fashion.”