Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
The Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act would require the Department of Homeland Security, primarily through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to develop and submit a comprehensive plan within 180 days to identify, integrate, and deploy new and emerging technologies to strengthen border security and address capability gaps. The plan would cover a wide range of technologies—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, various sensors, imaging and identification systems, and other advanced tools—and outline how CBP would pilot, evaluate, and scale them into formal programs of record. A key feature is the creation and use of CBP Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies, assess potential impacts (including negative consequences), and coordinate with DHS science and technology leadership, other federal agencies, private sector partners, universities, and Federal laboratories. The bill also requires attention to privacy and security impacts on border communities, procurement authorities, and the phasing out of legacy technologies where appropriate, plus ongoing congressional reporting and performance metrics.
Key Points
- 1Identify, integrate, and deploy emerging border technologies within 180 days, including AI/ML, automation, fiber-optic sensing, nanotechnology, hyperspectral and LIDAR sensors, and related systems.
- 2Establish and empower CBP Innovation Teams to research and adapt new technologies, with clear operating procedures, roles, transition plans to programs of record, and strategic goals with cost/time/metrics.
- 3Require a detailed plan addressing: how CBP uses Innovation Team authority, cross-agency coordination (acquisition, DHS partners), technologies used by other agencies, and analysis of authorities and potential need for new procurement authorities.
- 4Include a comprehensive roadmap for scaling programs of emergent technologies, specific security program descriptions with objectives/timelines, and privacy/security impact assessments on border communities.
- 5Promote coordination with DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate and engagement with the private sector, small and disadvantaged businesses, universities, and federal labs to spur R&D, identify external technologies, incentives for private-sector development, and collaboration pathways.
- 6Outline metrics and key performance parameters to evaluate effectiveness, and identify recent advancements across listed technology areas (e.g., manned/unmanned aircraft systems, surveillance tech, nonintrusive inspection like muon tomography, tunnel detection, and communications gear).
- 7Require findings on legacy border technologies that could be phased out in favor of newer tech, with cost estimates for replacement.
- 8Annual reporting to Congress (along with an initial 180-day report) detailing procedures, piloted technologies, transition progress, and outcomes.