US Congressmen Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Rep. John McGuire and colleagues have sent a letter to Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau about countering uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) at the southern border.
UAS are being increasingly utilised by Mexican drug cartels for their illicit operations and pose security risks to federal law enforcement officers and deployed military personnel in the southern border. The letter requests answers from the respective agencies about their jurisdiction and responsibility monitoring and countering UAS.
The letter states that Congress granted authorities to the Department of Defense and Homeland Security to conduct counter-UAS efforts within the Continental United States. “However, as shown in recent cases, such as in Virginia and New Jersey, federal, state, and local law enforcement and the military have been reluctant to utilise these authorities or lack the equipment to respond. During our time at the border, we heard firsthand from commanders and supervisors on the ground regarding their concern to be able to conduct C-UAS operations should the cartels attempt a drone attack on US service members or federal law enforcement.”
The letter asks for answers to the following questions within 30 days:
- Which agency is primarily responsible for responding to UAS threats at the southern border?
- What steps are being taken to determine if a drone poses an immediate threat?
- What is the current definition of a threat towards the southern border mission? Would this include drones that are suspected of gathering intelligence?
- How quickly can a determination be made to take down a hostile drone if necessary?
- What C-UAS equipment is currently in place at the border?
For more information
Full text of the border C-UAS letter
Image: A surveillance tower at the southwest border (US Customs and Border Protection)
