Congressman Ciscomani to Secretary Mayorkas: Congress Needs Answers from Biden Administration Following Decision to Remove Critical Border Security Technology

WASHINGTON — Congressman Juan Ciscomani led his colleagues in asking for answers from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about his recent decision to remove critical security technology from the US-Mexico Border. 

“Secretary Mayorkas has failed in his duty to secure the border,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “This latest move to strip law enforcement of critical border security technology is just another step in the wrong direction. In the face of historic border crossings, rising fentanyl deaths, and record migrant deaths, we should be doing everything we can to get more resources and tools to our Border Patrol agents. Instead, Secretary Mayorkas’ short-sighted moves continue to leave Americans at risk, and our border unsecure.” 

In a letter signed by 16 members of Congress, Congressman Ciscomani insisted that Secretary Mayorkas prioritize the use of critical security technology in the response to the ongoing border crisis. 

The letter follows reporting that the Biden Administration has chosen to remove the majority of their Tactical Aerostat Systems (TAS) from the border. The Tactical Aerostat Systems assist Border Patrol agents with monitoring the border, conducting border surveillance, and gives them the ability to quickly respond to emergencies. 

The members write: “In Fiscal Year 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded a record number of migrant encounters along the southwest border, totaling 2.38 million. Unfortunately, the situation is not getting better. In January, for the 23rd month in a row, there were more than 150,000 CBP encounters along the southwest border. Fentanyl seizures are also on the rise and impacting our communities across the United States. More than 8,600 pounds of fentanyl have been seized along the southwest border in the first four months of this fiscal year. This is enough to kill more than 1.9 billion people.” 

The members continue, “We urge you to prioritize the use of TAS to provide agents and officers more visibility along the border during this ongoing crisis.” 

This news comes after reports indicate that migrant encounters at the Southern Border have surpassed 1 million for Fiscal Year 2023, which began in October, an unprecedented pace for migrant encounters. 

In Southern Arizona, fentanyl trafficking has taken its toll on the community. As of last March, the number one cause of death among teenagers in Pima County is fentanyl overdoses. 

Earlier this month, Congressman Ciscomani was joined by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and 3 House colleagues for a visit to Cochise County, Arizona, including the US-Mexico Border, to hear from Border Patrol leadership, local elected officials and community leaders on the effects of a broken border. 

Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, Rep. Jake Ellzey of Texas, Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois, Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, Rep. Debbie Lesko of Arizona, Rep. Jay Obernolte of California, Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon joined Congressman Ciscomani as signatories to the letter. 

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.