Texas Congressman Says CBP Needs "Tech Strategic Plan" for Imports at SW Border

Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) pushed for more use of new technology to help facilitate trade processing at the ports, during a Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management field hearing in Laredo, Texas, May 1. New forms of technology would allow CBP to more efficiently use its manpower, he said at the hearing, which focused on using technology at the ports.

Every year over 1.6 million trucks pass through the Laredo port of entry and it's impossible to inspect, or scan, every one of those trucks, McCaul said. It's therefore important to rely on trusted shipper and traveler programs that allow CBP to focus manpower and other assets to find illicit goods and weapons.

Technologies, such as non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment allow CBP to effectively screen the large volume of travel and commerce at the border, said McCaul. Additional tools, such as license plate readers give officers the ability to discern patterns from the frequency and time of crossings, he said. While technology has increased our ability to screen cargo and passengers more effectively, McCaul is concerned that the Department still lacks a truly strategic approach to research and development of technologies that will enhance the way we secure ports of entry in the future. CBP lacks a technology innovation plan, which would inform industry of its technological needs, and allow industry to better recognize the needs of the Department, in a way to better leverage scarce funding, he said.