Congressman Henry Cuellar, (D-Laredo),  hosted Defense Department Assistant Secretary Paul N. Stockton and South Texas first responders at Laredo Community College to discuss the DoD Domestic Preparedness Support Initiative, which coordinates the Department’s efforts to transfer technology, items and equipment to Federal, State and local first responders. More than 100… Read more »

Congressman Henry Cuellar praised the Department of Homeland Security’s and Department of Defense partnership for a new border security strategy that shifts National Guard troops stationed along the Southwest border’s mission to aerial surveillance support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.   “Since 2006, the National Guard’s presence along the U.S.-Mexico border has been a… Read more »

Congressman Henry Cuellar today lauded the unveiling of new Spanish-language Public Service Announcements for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign.   Starting today, Spanish-language PSAs that inform viewers about how to notify authorities regarding potential threats will run in radio stations and televisions… Read more »

Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Blake Farenthold (TX-27) announced a second unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be delivered Wednesday to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi to help patrol and secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The UAV was secured as part of the 2010 Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.   The second Predator UAV is… Read more »

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 »