A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation that would direct the Department of Homeland Security to field “smart” border security technologies along the southern U.S. border.A press release posted Thursday on Rep. Will Hurd’s (R-Texas) website stated that the Secure Miles with All Resources and Technology Act would also require the DHS secretary to submit a report on physical barriers, technologies and other platforms that can be used to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
Hurd said Customs and Border Patrol agents need technologies such as sensors, radar, light detection and ranging, fiber optics, drones and cameras to detect activity across the border and perform interdiction.
SMART Act would authorize $110 million for programs meant to foster border security coordination between CBP and state, county, tribal and other governmental law enforcement entities.
The bill would also establish a two-year grant program to upgrade emergency communication platforms in the southern border region, including multiband radios and communication networks.
Hurd introduced SMART Act alongside Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), David Valadao (R-California), Steve Knight (R-CA), Steve Pearce (R-New Mexico), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), and Keith Rothfus (R-PA).
