Today, the Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Act of 2011, H.R. 915, named after ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata was voted out of the House Homeland Security Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee and heads for a vote in the House Homeland Security Committee, putting the bill one step closer to becoming law. The bill would enhance border security and reduce security threats by authorizing and appropriating funds for law enforcement units on the border.

“Seeing proposed legislation, named after ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata out of respect for his service to our country and because he paid the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of us all, voted out of the subcommittee today and one step closer to becoming law, brings a great sense of commitment and accomplishment of our work to protect the U.S. border,” Congressman Cuellar said. “As I said when I first introduced this bill, I will continue to push to move it through the legislative process in honor of Special Agent Zapata’s work, dedication and commitment to serving the United States of America in the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.”

BEST units may be comprised of Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, and other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, tribal, local and international level. The units will have authority to investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals engaged in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking, violence and kidnapping along borders.

“Maintaining strong border security is a commitment of mine and reflective of the work I do through my committee assignments in the United States Congress,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I strongly believe collaboration and cooperation are key in successfully deterring criminal activity on the border and BEST units can reduce border violence by improving information sharing between federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies.”

The bill, co-sponsored by Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), would give Congress the ability to oversee authorization and appropriation of funds for the units, which previously was under the Department of Homeland Security.

“As the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, I believe it is important that Congress continues to fund BEST units, so we can successfully combat border crime while we cooperate and share information with a multitude of law enforcement agencies,” Congressman Cuellar said.

The first BEST team was based in Laredo. ICE establishes BEST units based on which areas are significantly impacted by border threats, the availability of law enforcement to participate, and the extent to which the threats are harmfully impacting the area. Under the proposed law, the Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will annually report on the effectiveness of the BEST as measured by crime statistics, to include violent deaths, incidents of violence, and drug related arrests.

Background:

In July 2005, ICE, in partnership with CBP, as well as other federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement officials expanded its ongoing Border Crimes Initiative by creating a multi-agency initiative called Operation Blackjack (predecessor to the BEST), to address the increased violence along the Southwest border with Mexico.

In 2006, DHS formally adopted the BEST initiative as a DHS task force in order to leverage federal, state, local, tribal and foreign law enforcement and intelligence resources in an effort to identify, disrupt, and dismantle organizations that seek to exploit vulnerabilities along the U.S. borders and threaten the overall safety and security of the American public.

The BEST Act of 2011 has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security, which Congressman Cuellar is a member of. He also serves as the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, which has direct jurisdiction over border security.   

On February 15, 2011, ICE special agents Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila were ambushed by members of Mexican drug cartels in San Luis Potosi. The two ICE agents were traveling between Mexico City and Monterrey. Special Agent Zapata succumbed to his injuries, living in the southwest border his entire life. Special Agent Avila was shot is now recovering.

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security and Agriculture Committees. Job creation, accessibility to constituents, education, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Vice Chairman of the Steering and Policy Committee, Senior Whip, and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.

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