CBP Leaders Talk Technology at Texas Border Security Expo

Innovation helps agency fulfill border security while maintaining economic prosperity

The constant drive to improve technological innovation is vital to the nation’s border security efforts in the future. That was the message U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez delivered on March 11 in a keynote address to attendees of the annual Border Security Expo in San Antonio. Perez also emphasized that this technological advancement will allow federal law enforcement to stay ahead of transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and weapons trafficking, illicit money movement, and human trafficking.

Perez also told attendees that because government is often slow to embrace new technologies, CBP created an agency innovation team in 2018 to tap into startups capable of leveraging venture capital investments in order to quickly deliver cutting-edge commercial capabilities to CBP operators. 

“For CBP, the right technology is national security,” Perez said. “Technology is on the front line with our agents and officers 24/7, so it is critical that we have the latest and greatest tools in our toolbox.” 

These commercial technologies include computer vision and other segments of artificial intelligence, biometrics, autonomy – such as autonomous surveillance towers that operate off the grid and run on 100% renewable energy – and advanced low cost sensors.

In addition to border security, Perez reiterated that CBP processed over a million travelers daily and $2.7 trillion in imported goods last year – a volume that makes it even more critical to find the right innovation to protect the border and maintain economic security. 

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott also addressed the expo as part of a panel discussion, emphasizing that “border security is national security.”

Scott highlighted the network of initiatives CBP implemented to improve border security and maintain the integrity of the immigration system. He called on Congress to act by closing the immigration loopholes that criminal networks abuse by using migrants to make the dangerous and often deadly journey to the United States.

Assistant Border Patrol Chief Keith Haynes also participated in a panel and promoted the Border Patrol’s use of drones to secure the border.

“These drones make our agents safer,” Haynes said. “Drones give our agents more situational awareness that allows them to see what they’re walking into because of the potential dangers along the border.”

CBP Assistant Commissioner of Acquisition Diane Sahakian reinforced the point that delivering the right technology to field agents and operators is critical to fulfill the CBP mission of securing the border and maintaining economic prosperity. Sahakian told attendees that CBP anticipates using cloud migration, autonomous surveillance towers, and X-ray technologies in the future.

The use of biometrics in processing travelers was also a prominent topic at the expo. The growing use of biometric technologies such as facial recognition will enhance the processing of travelers through ports of entry, said CBP’s Jim McLaughlin, executive director for targeting and analysis systems. McLaughlin also discussed the challenges CBP faces in using biometrics and how the agency collaborates with the technology industry and the private travel sector.

The two-day event brought together hundreds of current and former local, state and federal law enforcement officials and industry representatives from across the country and around the globe to discuss current border security challenges and possible solutions to various challenges.