U.S. Rep. McSally-led Hearing Reveals Gaps in Border Measurements

Border Chief Confirms Having Situational Awareness of Only 56% of Border

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Martha McSally today led her first hearing as Chairwoman of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee. The hearing analyzed measurements used to determine Border Patrol effectiveness and highlighted significant gaps in situational awareness along the border.

“Customs and Border Protection reported that it was 81% effective on the southwest border last year.” Rep. McSally said in her opening statement. “These new effectiveness numbers are hard to believe, and I believe are inaccurate measures of the state of security on the border.  The new interdiction effectiveness rate includes unaccompanied children and families from countries other than Mexico, who turn themselves in, inflating the number. It also fails to take into account the number the Border Patrol never sees, or the denominator, which also inflates the effectiveness.”

To watch Rep. McSally’s opening statement, click HERE.

During the hearing, Rep. McSally questioned U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Ronald Vitiello about over how much of the border his agency has “situational awareness.”

“…about 56% of the border is deployed in a way that agents and/or technology can see activity in real time,” Chief Vitiello responded, highlighting a serious shortfall in Border Patrol’s ability to accurately detect, measure, and intercept activity along the border. 

To watch that exchange, click HERE.

Rep. McSally also questioned witnesses about how near the border activity is detected or intercepted, referencing a Southern Arizona rancher as an example.

“Intercepting drugs and cartels on the south side of John Ladd’s ranch in Arizona for me is far more effective and to my constituents than on the north side of his ranch. A mile is like an eternity if you’re living right on the border...”

To watch the full hearing, click HERE.