Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry

Recommendation:
In order to be eligible for state border security funding, state and local law enforcement entities must
participate in: state led border operations, Joint Operations Intelligence Centers, and share information
and intelligence with state, local, and federal counterparts.
Discussion:
Eligibility for state border security funds must require a commitment from state and local law
enforcement agencies to participate in operations and timely share information and intelligence with
their counterparts. One of the frustrations in coordinating operations today is that not all participants
provide real-time data. Without this data, coordination of operations is not as effective.
In May 2008, the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management released the Border Security
Equipment and Technology (BSET) Grant Guidance and Application kit 11 to assist state and local law
enforcement entities in applying for the $17,204,714 allocated in the General Appropriations Act,
80th Legislature, Art. IX, Sec. 19.69 (C). These funds are specifically available for border security
expenditures of training, equipment, and technology acquisition. Under the BSET guidelines, eligibility
for these funds requires participation in border security operations.
E. Policy Recommendations
Recommendation:
Expand Operation Border Star to address the southbound smuggling of bulk cash, stolen vehicles, and
weapons into Mexico.
Discussion:
Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations does not have the resources to conduct
thorough southbound inspections on the 22 international bridges in Texas. As a result, the Mexican
crime cartels are able to smuggle bulk cash, stolen vehicles and weapons into Mexico with minimal
risk. As a result of the public testimony, the State began funding overtime for local police officers to
work with Customs and Border Protection on the international bridges. The El Paso, Brownsville, and
Hidalgo Police Departments have reported a drop in stolen vehicles when they began southbound
inspections. The State should work towards ensuring that southbound monitoring occurs 24 hours a
day, seven days a week at all ports of entry.
11 See Appendix D for a copy of the Border Security Equipment and Technology Grant Guidance and Application Kit.
Section Five: Recommendations 1