LaredoBuzz.Com

 Courtesy Ashley Patterson,

Funding for Border Patrol, ICE Agents and Local Law Enforcement

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that $701 million in emergency funding for the nation’s southern border passed the House late Thursday as part of a larger emergency spending measure to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The funding will allow for the deployment of 1,200 new Border Patrol agents between the ports of entry along the U.S. Mexico border and also includes $201 million for Justice Department programs that support local law enforcement. 

“This is one of the single largest infusions of funding to secure the southern border,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This is a critical next step in combating illegal activity and securing our communities who face law enforcement challenges everyday.”

The emergency border funding includes $208 million for 1,200 additional Border Patrol agents, plus $136 million to maintain Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer staffing levels and will allow for 500 additional new officers for southern border land ports of entry. In addition, $35.5 million will be made available for improved tactical communications along the border, three permanent Border Patrol forward operating bases, and a surge of workforce integrity investigations designed to prevent corruption among CBP officers and agents.

An additional $30 million will assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities to reduce the threat of narcotics trafficking and $50 million for Operation Stonegarden will supplement grants to support local law enforcement.

 “This will infuse more resources to the border, land ports and local communities,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The combination of boots on the ground and increased technology will ensure our ability to stay ahead of the threats on the other side of the Rio Grande.”

The bill includes $32 million to procure two additional CBP unmanned aircraft systems. This June, the FAA approved a CBP initiative to fly a remotely-piloted surveillance aircraft over the Texas-Mexico border and Gulf Coast. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. Congressman Cuellar, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, has been working closely with CBP and the FAA to get the UAV approved for Texas.

Since April, Cuellar and other southern border lawmakers have been calling on Congress to approve emergency border funds. In an April letter to the Speaker of the House, Congressman Cuellar and eight other members of Congress requested over $500 million in emergency funds to support federal, state and local law enforcement in border states.

“We have to keep our finger on the pulse,” said Congressman Cuellar. “As violence in neighboring Mexico persists we have to prepare ourselves at the frontlines of our communities. These additional resources will make a difference here in Texas.”