WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after he joined Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing the Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade (BEST) Facilitation Act, which would support border law enforcement by providing additional personnel to scan cargo for illegal drugs, guns, or human smuggling:

“Texas has borne the brunt of the Biden administration’s abject failure to secure the border and stop the deadly flow of fentanyl ravaging our communities, but I’m hopeful we will soon turn the tide of this devastating crisis,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By streamlining inspections at ports of entries and improving training and resources for detecting drugs and human trafficking at our southern border, the BEST Facilitation Act would help CBP officers better identify contraband and save lives.”

Background:

Border law enforcement have raised the issue of workflow challenges at port of entry inspection booths and requested increased personnel and resources to scan cargo to better enforce the law and combat drug smuggling at the southern border. The bill creates a new position within Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who would receive specialized training to review and assess scans of cargo images and either recommend entry to the primary inspection CBP booth officer or refer for further inspection if illegal or illicit items are suspected.

The Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade (BEST) Facilitation Act would:

• Establish a five-year Image Technician Pilot Program;
• Create the position of “supervisory image technicians” who would review and asses difficult-to-review images, as well as receive, report, and disseminate intelligence to and from the National Targeting Center to image adjudicators;
• Mandate specialized training in image analysis and implement annual assessments to ensure accuracy for image technicians;
• Require the development of a workforce staffing model and institute reporting requirements;
• And launch five regional command centers at existing ports where the image inspectors would work.

This legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Travel Association, Border Trade Alliance, National Sheriffs Association, and National Association of Counties.