WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is cosponsoring two bipartisan bills, both led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, to strengthen border security at ports of entry:
The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act would fully staff America’s airports, seaports, and land ports of entry by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire at least 600 additional officers a year within the Office of Field Operations until the agency’s staffing needs are met.
The Non-Intrusive Inspection Improvement Act would improve screening of vehicles and cargo entering the U.S. by increasing the use of non-intrusive inspection systems, which have enabled frontline OFO officers to more quickly and effectively screen vehicles and large amounts of cargo to ensure secure travel and trade at ports of entry.
“Increasing law enforcement staffing and the use of non-intrusive detection technologies at our ports of entry are some of the surest ways to strengthen border security,”Hinrich said. “It is critical to stop the flow of illicit fentanyl and deadly drugs into our communities, boost trade, and invest in New Mexico border communities. Despite Republicans’ inaction, I remain focused on fixing our badly broken immigration system and delivering smart investments to better secure the border.”
SECURING AMERICA’S PORTS OF ENTRY ACT
CBP continues to face ongoing shortages of officers. In addition to hiring hundreds more OFO officers, the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act also authorizes the annual hiring of mission support staff and technicians to perform non-law enforcement functions in support of OFO. These professionals will allow OFO officers to focus their efforts on law enforcement priorities, such as preventing drug trafficking, while supporting lawful international commerce through the nation’s ports of entry.
Nearly 85% of fentanyl seized by CBP in 2022 was interdicted at ports of entry. That’s why the bill also requires reporting on infrastructure improvements at ports of entry that would enhance drug interdiction, information on detection equipment that would help officers better identify drugs, and safety equipment to protect officers from accidental exposure to dangerous toxins. Addressing a shortage of OFO officers would also help to reduce waiting times for merchandise, agriculture, luggage, and travelers coming through our ports of entry.
NON-INTRUSIVE INSPECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT
Non-intrusive inspection systems help frontline OFO officers quickly and effectively screen vehicles and large amounts of cargo to ensure secure travel and trade at ports of entry. The Non-Intrusive Inspection Improvement Act would set an achievable benchmark, requiring CBP to scan at least 40% of passenger vehicles and at least 90% of commercial vehicles entering the United States at land ports of entry by the end of fiscal year 2026. The bill would also require CBP to increase its use of non-intrusive inspection systems for outbound scanning of vehicles.
The death toll across the nation from synthetic opioids – such as fentanyl – continues to reach record levels. Non-intrusive inspection systems are an effective tool that helps CBP interdict these dangerous drugs before they harm our communities. In fiscal year 2022, CBP interdicted more than 100,000 pounds of illicit drugs using these technologies at ports of entry.
By Sen. Martin Heinrich
