Rep. Susie Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Operations at the Southern Border

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) announced the introduction of the Advanced Border Coordination Act. Congressman Dave Joyce (R-OH), Congresswoman Mayra Flores (R-TX), and Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) joined Congresswoman Lee in introducing this legislation. The Department of Homeland Security has periodically established joint operations hubs to help multiple law enforcement agencies work together to strengthen border security and crack down on transnational criminal activity, such as drug, weapon, and human trafficking. This bill expands on this successful interagency cooperation model by establishing additional Joint Operation Centers along the southern border. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) earlier this year.

"In 2019, I traveled to the southern border with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, and I came away from that trip acutely aware that our immigration system is broken," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "I also left that trip with a renewed commitment to work with my colleagues to find solutions to fix our broken system. I've always fought for common-sense border security measures, and this legislation I'm introducing with my colleagues, Reps. Joyce, Flores, and Pappas, is just that: a common-sense solution. Joint operations hubs have worked to improve federal and local coordination, and I'm proud to introduce this legislation to stand up two new centers to make our communities safer by cracking down on drug, weapon, and human trafficking at the border. I will always fight for comprehensive reforms to fix our broken immigration system and make our borders safer, more secure, and more humane to those seeking refuge."

"I've visited the southern border and seen the crisis unfolding there firsthand," said Congressman Joyce. "For the safety of our communities and those wishing to come here for a better life, we have to restore the rule of law and secure our borders. This bipartisan bill will help us do just that. As a former prosecutor, I know how successful joint operations centers can be, especially when it comes to detecting drug and human trafficking, and have no doubt they will help us address the national security and humanitarian crisis that has exploded at our southern border. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan effort and will continue to provide our law enforcement officers with the resources and tools they need to effectively defend and maintain our borders."

"I came to Congress promising to solve problems confronting our district and this is exactly what my first bill delivers. I'm proud this bill is being introduced and lauded by Members on both sides of the aisle, as a more secure border means safer and more prosperous communities across this land," said Congresswoman Flores. "It is evident, from what we are witnessing at our southern border, that the only group benefiting from this self-inflicted chaos are criminals, drug and human traffickers, and the cartels. Our bill will put an end to this by bettering our law enforcement coordination and their ability to counter these dangerous groups. I thank my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan and bicameral effort."

"The Advanced Border Coordination Act will create joint centers along the border for federal, state, and local agencies in order to crack down on illegal drug trafficking and better respond to the crisis at the southern border," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "This bipartisan bill will assist law enforcement officials so they can secure our border and keep our communities safe. I remain committed to supporting our law enforcement officials and holding drug traffickers accountable so we can save lives and keep dangerous substances out of our communities."

Rep. Susie Lee has been a strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that balances both strengthening border security measures and creating a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders. In 2019, Rep. Lee visited the Southern Border with fellow members of the Problem Solvers Caucus to see challenges at the border firsthand. Since then, she has worked with Democrats and Republicans to find solutions to help fix our broken immigration system.

The Advanced Border Coordination Act would:

• Direct DHS to establish at least two joint operations centers along the southern border. These hubs would help law enforcement from multiple Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies can work together.
• Establish that these centralized hubs serve as resources to improve field operations, help detect and deter criminal activity, like drug and human trafficking, and support workforce development and training coordination between participating agencies.
• Require an annual report to Congress on the centers' operational activities and recommendations for coordinated federal actions at the southern border.

Participating agencies would include the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Justice department, other federal agencies as the DHS Secretary determines appropriate, and state, local, and tribal agencies that voluntarily choose to participate.

The Advanced Border Coordination Act is endorsed by the National Immigration Forum, the Texas Border Coalition, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association. You can read more here.

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