Technical corrections only. The bill text in v3 is substantively identical to v2, with changes limited to procedural updates reflecting its referral to the Senate and the addition of the House Clerk's name. No substantive policy changes were made between these versions.
Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
- Committees
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 11, 2025
Bottom line
This bill mandates a strategic plan for integrating advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning, into U.S. border security operations and formalizes the role of CBP Innovation Teams in this effort.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, develop and submit a comprehensive plan within 180 days to identify, integrate, and deploy advanced technologies for border security. It also formally authorizes and establishes operational and reporting requirements for CBP Innovation Teams, tasking them with researching, adapting, and transitioning commercial technologies to enhance border operations and address capability gaps.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is crucial for modernizing border security, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance operational effectiveness, address capability gaps, and improve efficiency in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. They emphasize the need for proactive technology adoption to stay ahead of illicit activities and manage border flows more effectively, ensuring the nation's borders are secure with the best available tools.
Opponents contend
Opponents might raise concerns about the potential for over-reliance on technology, the impact on privacy and civil liberties of border communities, the high costs associated with developing and deploying advanced systems, and the risk of technology being deployed without adequate oversight or proven effectiveness. They may also question the efficacy of a plan-mandating bill without direct appropriations.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, making it accessible for an informed reader to understand its core requirements within a short timeframe.
Section 2(a)
Mandate for an Emerging Border Technology Plan
This provision requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through CBP and the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to create and submit a plan within 180 days of enactment. This plan must detail how new, innovative, disruptive, or emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, fiber-optic sensing, and various surveillance systems) will be identified, integrated, and deployed to improve border security or fill existing capability gaps.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this plan is essential for a coherent, forward-looking strategy to modernize border security, ensuring that DHS proactively seeks and integrates the best available technologies to protect the nation's borders effectively.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that such a broad mandate could lead to unfocused technology acquisition without clear priorities, potentially resulting in wasteful spending on unproven or unnecessary systems without sufficient oversight.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the urgent need for rapid technological adoption in border security with the necessity for strategic planning and careful integration to avoid costly mistakes and ensure effective deployment.
Section 2(b)
Detailed Requirements for the Technology Plan Contents
This subsection specifies thirteen categories of information that must be included in the technology plan. These requirements cover how CBP Innovation Teams are utilized, assessment of their contributions, identification of technologies used by other federal agencies, analysis of procurement authorities, plans to scale existing programs, descriptions of planned security technology programs, privacy and security impact assessments, and coordination with the Science and Technology Directorate, among other details.
Section 2(c)(1)
Formal Authorization of CBP Innovation Teams
This provision formally authorizes the Commissioner of CBP to maintain one or more CBP Innovation Teams. These teams are specifically tasked with researching and adapting commercial technologies that are new, innovative, disruptive, or advanced for use in border security operations. They are also responsible for assessing potential outcomes, including any negative consequences, of introducing these emerging technologies.
Section 2(c)(2)
Operating Procedures and Strategic Goals for Innovation Teams
This subsection requires each CBP Innovation Team to establish clear operating procedures, including specific roles, responsibilities, and protocols for transitioning successful technologies into formal programs of record. It also mandates the creation of planning and strategic goals, complete with projected costs, timelines, metrics, and key performance parameters, including a specific metric to measure the rate at which technologies are transitioned to existing or new programs.
Section 2(c)(3)
Annual Reporting on Innovation Team Activities
This provision requires the Commissioner of CBP to submit annual reports to Congress, starting 180 days after the date of enactment. These reports must detail the activities of the CBP Innovation Teams, including copies of their operating procedures and strategic goals, descriptions of technologies piloted (identifying successful ones and addressed capability gaps), and the status of efforts to transition successful technologies into programs of record.