Torres Small Announces Border Security Technology Investment at Santa Teresa Port of Entry
Las Cruces, N.M. – Yesterday, Representative Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) announced U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will conduct a Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology demonstration project at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry starting Fiscal Year 2021. The demonstration is intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NII systems, which CBP uses to scan vehicles in search for concealed drugs, humans, guns, illicit currency, and explosive materials. The announcement follows Torres Small’s support of NII technology as part of her efforts to enact strong, smart, and fair solutions to the country’s broken border security and immigration system.
“As thousands of trucks and cars pass through our nation’s ports of entry each day, it’s essential that our CBP officers have cutting-edge technology to help them do their jobs. As the Representative of New Mexico’s almost-180 miles of border, I’ve worked closely with CBP and local stakeholders to identify the resources CBP officers need to keep contraband out of New Mexico and facilitate the flow of trade and travel our community depends on. I’m pleased to announce new NII technology will be implemented in the Santa Teresa port of entry, which will help keep our communities safe,” said Torres Small.
Although thousands of vehicles cross daily into the United States, CBP currently only scans 15 percent of commercial trucks and one percent of passenger vehicles. In December 2019, Rep. Torres Small and Rep. Dan Crenshaw introduced bipartisan legislation to increase these scanning rates to 100 percent. H.R. 5273, the Securing America’s Ports Act, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and is currently pending floor consideration by the U.S. Senate.
As Chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability, Rep. Torres Small also held a hearing in Santa Teresa in December 2019 to examine the need for investment in NII systems and infrastructure modernization projects to support CBP officers at land ports of entry.
“The Border Industrial Alliance is strongly supportive of the NII technology demonstration in Santa Teresa. Last December, during Congresswoman Torres Small’s Homeland Security Committee hearing in Santa Teresa, we discussed potential investments that could make the port more secure and attractive to new business partners, such as cutting-edge border security technology and infrastructure modernization projects. I applaud Congresswoman Torres Small for shedding light on the resources Santa Teresa needs to continue its growth in exports, imports, and business opportunities,” said CEO & President of The Border Industrial Association Jerry Pacheco.
“The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents CBP Office of Field Operations personnel around the country, supports the expansion of NII technology at the ports, as envisioned by Rep. Xochitl Torres Small,” said NTEU National President Tony Reardon. “In her subcommittee’s hearing in New Mexico, Rep. Torres Small correctly diagnosed how NII technology modernizes our ports by helping Officers screen more vehicles while also facilitating legitimate trade and travel. In a port like Santa Teresa, which is seriously understaffed, we welcome the addition of pre-primary NII in a demonstration project in Fiscal Year 2021.”
The demonstration project will be part of a series of NII technology deployments along the southern border, funded by the $570 million allocated in the FY19 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (P.L. 116-6). Last May, Rep. Torres Small called on DHS to expeditiously use these funds to acquire and deploy NII technology along the southern border.
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