Today, the Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Act of 2011, H.R. 915, named after ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata, was voted out of the House Homeland Security Committee and is expected to be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which was voted out of the full committee with bipartisan support, would enhance border security and reduce security threats by authorizing and appropriating funds for law enforcement units on the border. Read more »

Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) announced today that the Administration has extended the temporary deployment of National Guard personnel along the Southwest border through December 31, 2011. Read more »

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) included a provision in the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to examine the need for an alternate base of operations at a southwest border location.  At present, frequently changing weather conditions and strict air regulations affect unmanned aircraft operations… Read more »

A second Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will soon be based in Texas in an effort to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The Predator UAV is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor system that vastly improves the operational effectiveness in CBP missions and is drone with synthetic aperture radar suitable for flights in darkness and inclement weather. Read more »

In an effort to secure and protect the U.S.-Mexico border from increasing border violence associated with transnational criminal organizations, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) included legislation in the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that calls for a five-year plan on staffing and deployment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and asks the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance their relationship with state, local, federal and foreign law enforcement agencies to better prepare for security threats on the border. The legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 231 to 188. Read more »

In an effort to secure and protect ports of entry throughout the country, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) included legislation in the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would fund and expand DHS’s support to local and state fusion centers as well as work to secure funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations. The legislation passed in… Read more »

“This morning, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates signed an order extending the temporary deployment of National Guard personnel along the Southwest border through September 30, 2011. Since their arrival at the end of last summer, thousands of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have served alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents to thwart violence associated… Read more »

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) included legislation in the fiscal year 2012 Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations Act that would bolster security on the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill directs the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard to position a hangar on the border that would provide for stationing of additional UAVs (unmanned aerial systems.) The bill passed the… Read more »

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) successfully advocated for legislation in the fiscal year 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that would restore eligibility for the city of San Antonio for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), which aids cities in planning for and responding to acts of terrorism. Without the amendment, the legislation would have limited the eligibility to… Read more »

"Sunday night’s announcement by President Obama that U.S. Armed Forces have killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda and the terrorist responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans on September 11, 2001, comes at a time when U.S. Armed Forces continue to fight for our freedoms and work to bring peace to the people of the Middle East and other regions of the world. Read more »