Ciscomani, Joyce, Lee, and Pappas Lead Effort to Strengthen Law Enforcement Operations at the Southern Border

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) joined Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) to spearhead an effort to strengthen law enforcement operations and collaboration along the southern border.  

The Advanced Border Coordination Act (H.R. 285) would establish multiple Joint Operation Centers along the U.S.-Mexico border to better coordinate enforcement operations, information sharing and workforce training. These centers would serve as centralized operating hubs to help the Department of Homeland Security work with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on transnational criminal activity.  

The Advanced Border Coordination Act would:   

• Direct Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish at least two joint operations centers along the southern border. These hubs would help law enforcement from multiple Federal, State, Local and Tribal agencies coordinate their efforts and better work together.  
• Require these centralized hubs to serve as resources to improve field operations and intelligence sharing, help detect and deter criminal activity like drug and human trafficking, and support workforce development and training coordination between participating agencies.
• Direct the DHS Secretary to issue an annual report to Congress on the centers’ operational activities and recommendations for coordinated federal actions at the southern border. 

“The crisis at the southern border continues to hurt communities in my district, and across the nation,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “As we kick off this new session of Congress, securing our border and supporting our frontline agents and officers remains a top priority. This is why I am proud to co-lead this critical legislation to establish Joint Operations Centers that will enhance cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat illicit activity and keep our communities safe.” 

“During my time as Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, I visited the southern border, spoke directly with Border Patrol agents, and held hearings to uncover the direct causes of the disastrous border crisis we have experienced for years,” said Congressman Joyce. “This bill is a step towards restoring the rule of law and securing our borders by establishing critical joint operations centers to detect drug and human trafficking and disrupt criminal networks. Americans deserve to feel safe, and to actually be safe, and this bill will help accomplish that goal.” 

“Border Patrol officers need all the help they can get to protect our southern border, and Joint Operation Centers are a proven way to make that happen,” said Congresswoman Lee. “I’ve consistently voted to secure the resources and reforms we need to fix our broken immigration system, and this bipartisan bill is a big step in the right direction. I’ll continue working with Republicans and Democrats to keep people safe and get commonsense legislation like this signed into law.”   

“It’s critical we strengthen border operations coordination to combat illegal drug trafficking, enforce our immigration laws, and keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Pappas. “That’s why I’m helping introduce the Advanced Border Coordination Act. This bipartisan bill would establish hubs along the southern border to centralize and coordinate border operations between Border Patrol personnel and federal, state, and local law enforcement. I’ll continue working with colleagues to secure our borders and support the work of our law enforcement.” 

Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are leading a companion bill in the Senate. 

“U.S. Border Patrol agents have been completely overwhelmed by the unprecedented number of illegal aliens arriving at our border, and we need to strengthen border security by improving communication and coordination on the ground," said Senator Blackburn. "By establishing joint operation centers along the southern border, the Advanced Border Coordination Act would improve field operations and better equip Border Patrol to go after transnational gangs and hamper drug and human trafficking.”  

“Border security shouldn’t be a controversial or partisan issue," said Senator Cortez Masto. "We need to take commonsense steps to strengthen our border security and make sure our law enforcement officers are working together. By establishing joint operations centers along the southern border, this bipartisan bill will help us combat transnational crime, from drug trafficking to human trafficking, and keep our communities safe.”  

The bill text can be found here.   

Background:   

• In the 119th Congress, Ciscomani has also introduced the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 35) and the Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act (H.R. 263). 
• In October, Ciscomani attended the Border Operations Center dedication in Cochise County. This facility acts as a hub for more than 80 state, local and federal employees to enhance join interoperability among law enforcement along the southern border. Coverage of this event can be found here.   

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