Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, pictured here, and Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy are reaching across the aisle to roll out a measure that would quickly deliver new and effective technologies to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat human and drug trafficking at the border. (David Peinado/Anadolu via Getty Images and Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It also would require the Department of Homeland Security to submit a plan to Congress that assesses the performance parameters and security impacts of potential technologies, as well as the deactivation of former CBP technology.
"Technology continues to improve our everyday lives, and it’s just common sense that we look for ways innovative technologies can help keep our border communities secure," Cortez Maso told Fox News Digital. "I am committed to helping CBP continue developing the tools they need to improve border security operations."
"President Trump secured the southern border in his first 30 days," Cassidy told Fox News Digital. "Let’s secure the border forever by using new technology."
He added, "Let’s stop fentanyl from flowing into our country."
The senators told Fox News Digital that investments in border security technology will "strengthen CBP’s detection and response time to cases of trafficking and illicit border crossings in remote areas."
The legislation would make innovation teams a more permanent and long-lasting part of Customs and Border operations.
Border patrol agents monitor an area near the U.S.-Mexican border in Sunland Park, New Mexico, on Jan. 25, 2025. (Jorge Salgado/Anadolu via Getty Images)
CBP says it averaged 279 apprehensions per day at the southern border in April, compared to 4,297 apprehensions in April 2024. The total apprehensions for April landed at 8,383, compared to April 2024's 129,000.
CBP officials also noted that just five illegal immigrants were temporarily released into the U.S. during April, compared to 68,000 during the same month in 2024.
Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bipartisan-senate-bill-targets-border-human-drug-trafficking-innovative-technology