In mere weeks, the Border Patrol achieved President Donald Trump’s goal of bringing security and operational control along the southern border.
While this fact is laudable, it is critical to remember that the smugglers, cartels, and gangs that controlled the U.S.-Mexico border under former President Joe Biden will not give up their economic or physical territory quickly — or peacefully. Their billion-dollar business model relies on access to the American market, and there are already reports of cartel drone activity meant to thwart law enforcement’s new posture.
Trump and his senior team hit the ground running on Day One by putting in place key policy changes, such as declaring a national emergency, reinstating Remain in Mexico, deploying thousands of active-duty troops to the southern border, and canceling the CBP One app, which fundamentally changed the dynamic along the border. Critically, the president also declared MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations, which allows for greater authority to target members of the criminal networks.
There is little doubt that what the president and his team have achieved is historic. However, to permanently stay ahead of the cartels, secure the border, prevent human trafficking, and stop the flow of illicit drugs, we must more aggressively provide Border Patrol officers enhanced capabilities through next-generation technology and innovation.
In the battle for the borders, America must win.
U.S. borders are vast and environmentally diverse, covering 7,500 miles of terrain. Northern, southern, or coastal, the environment varies from urban cities to rugged, remote mountains, deserts, plains, lakes, and rivers. To defend and deter illegal entry across this terrain, America employs fewer than 20,000 Border Patrol agents.
Recently, the president restarted construction of the border wall system, but he is not stopping there. The Border Patrol needs additional infrastructure solutions, particularly in South Texas, where access to private land is difficult. To meet this challenge, the Trump team is poised to deploy maritime buoys in the Rio Grande. Texas has successfully deployed these buoys over the last several years, and the Trump team is building on that success to stay ahead of the cartels.
With the Mexican cartels already integrating artificial intelligence and advanced drones to evade law enforcement, the United States must take a proactive approach, aggressively deploying the latest security innovations and ensuring we stay ahead of those seeking to exploit our borders. The miniaturization and affordability of radar and lidar systems, for example, have revolutionized intrusion detection. With the integration of AI-powered cameras, detected movement can instantly be identified as vehicles, animals, humans, or even just a blowing object. These alerts are sent directly to Border Patrol agents, giving them vital intelligence before arrival at the scene.
Another critical tool is the use of dock-based drone technology. Deployed extensively in the first responder community, autonomous drones provide additional manpower and domain awareness along sensitive areas of the border. They can help agents respond to interdictions, track cartel members smuggling illegal narcotics, prevent human trafficking, and even determine breaches in the border wall system. While continued construction of physical infrastructure is critical, we must implement technologies alongside to provide agents with greater awareness of who and what is crossing, where they are crossing, and how best to respond.
Infrastructure and personnel are vital to border security operations, but we must recognize that technology makes both more effective. With congressional funding for cutting-edge technology, including AI, drones, and sensors, into every appropriate aspect of border security, we can drastically improve threat identification and reduce the man-hours required to resolve each threat. These technological investments are focused on deterring illegal crossings, aiding law enforcement, and providing real-time intelligence that keeps people safe.
At the heart of our border security efforts is the human element. The most critical and most expensive resource in this fight is the Border Patrol agent. These people are responsible for making split-second decisions: determining whether an individual poses a threat, assessing the severity of the situation, and taking appropriate action. Technology does not replace human judgment but ensures that agents operate from a position of strength, with the best available intelligence at their disposal.
The key to an effective border strategy is balance. Some duties, such as investigations, arrests, and interviews, can only be performed by trained agents. However, routine surveillance and monitoring can increasingly be handled by advanced technology. A drone, radar system, or AI-powered sensor does not require a paycheck, benefits, or time off, yet it enhances the effectiveness of every agent in the field.
BECOMING AN AMERICAN: HOW TO FIX THE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
With continued support from Congress, law enforcement, and the public, we can implement a border security strategy that defends our sovereignty and protects future generations. The border wall, technology, and human expertise are not separate pieces of the puzzle — they are essential components of a comprehensive strategy.
Embracing these elements together, we can make great strides toward the goal of securing our nation and putting the safety of Americans first.
Chad F. Wolf is the executive vice president, chief strategy officer, and chairman of the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration at the America First Policy Institute. He previously served as acting secretary of homeland security during the first Trump administration.