Border Security

As the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, it is my duty to oversee the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ensure that America’s borders are secure.

Over the last several years, Congress has provided billions of dollars to secure the borders, but without an end goal in mind, much of the spending has been done in an ad hoc fashion. To secure America’s borders, a national strategy and reliable metrics to measure border security effectiveness are essential.

During the 113th Congress, I introduced H.R. 1417, the bipartisan Border Security Results Act, which requires DHS to develop a strategy to gain operational control of the borders and develop verifiable metrics to measure progress. Ten years after the creation of DHS, I believe that both are long overdue. H.R. 1417 requires the development of metrics to inform border security progress and directs DHS to develop a strategy and implementation plan to gain operational control of the border within two years, setting a standard of 90% effectiveness at apprehending illegal border crossers and interdicting illicit contraband. Achieving this standard must be based on a solid understanding of illegal border crossings and trafficking of contraband.

My bill furthermore requires the Secretary to gain situational awareness through the use of sophisticated technologies and other means, giving our border agents the ability to predict changes in illegal activity. Additionally, DHS must develop a series of verifiable metrics to gauge border security progress. Lastly, this bill includes a series of verification provisions by outside experts to ensure that Congress is getting an independent assessment of the state of border security.

Rather than continue the resources first approach, this bill’s emphasis on effectiveness and results will ensure DHS is on the path to gain operational control of the border.

More on Border Security

McCaul Again Calls for Extradition of Drug Kingpin ‘el Chapo’ to the United States

Jan 8, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC– Today following the announcement that Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin ‘el Chapo’ Guzman has been arrested once again by Mexican authorities, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, made the following statement:

McCaul on Ruling to Block President’s Unconstitutional Executive Amnesty

May 26, 2015 Press Release

AUSTIN, TX – Today following the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decision to uphold an injunction blocking President Obama’s unilateral actions on immigration, Congressman Michael McCaul issued the following statement.

McCaul Signs Amicus Brief Challenging President Obama's Unconstitutional Executive Amnesty

May 12, 2015 Press Release

AUSTIN, TX – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) has joined 112 Congressional colleagues in signing the amicus brief in Texas et al v United States. The amicus brief is in support of a continued injunction challenging the constitutionality of President Obama’s unilateral executive amnesty orders. The brief has been filed with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

McCaul Statement on House Vote to Defund Obama Executive Amnesty

Jan 14, 2015 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today following the U.S. House of Representatives vote to defund President Obama’s executive orders on immigration Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released the following statement:

McCaul: President’s Actions Tonight Threaten Our Democracy

Nov 20, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Obama’s proposed executive actions on immigration:

McCaul Statement on House Passage of Legislation to Address Border Crisis

Aug 1, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) released the following statement on the House passage of legislation to address the surge of unaccompanied children crossing the border, including a supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 5230) and a bill to prevent the continuation or expansion of President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program (H.R. 5272).

McCaul Statement on Governor Perry Deploying National Guard to Border

Jul 21, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following Governor Perry’s announcement of his intention to send up to 1,000 National Guardsmen to the border as a force multiplier and to act as a deterrent to further illegal crossings into the United States, Congressman McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement.