WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, as a member of the Northern Border Caucus and the Northern Border Security Caucus, joined Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) in introducing the Northern Border Security and Staffing Reform Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to update the outdated Northern Border Threat Analysis and address critical staffing shortages at northern ports of entry where officer retirements, recruitment challenges, and rising national security threats demand urgent and sustained attention.
“The southern border might receive more media attention, but our northern border is essential to Upstate New York and North Country residents from invasion,” said Chairwoman Stefanik. “I am working with DHS to update the Northern Border Threat Analysis and prioritize the staffing challenges that have left our state vulnerable to illegal migration including terrorists, drug traffickers, and gang members.”
“While apprehensions at our southern border have declined to historic lows, persistent challenges at our northern border have prevented similar success. Too often overlooked, the northern border is understaffed and underresourced, leaving Minnesota and our nation exposed to the risks associated with illegal immigration. This legislation ensures we are taking a data-driven approach to address these shortcomings and strengthen the security of our northern border,” said Congressman Stauber.
“I am honored to be the co-lead on this critical legislation to strengthen security along our Northern Border. With outdated threat assessments and a looming staffing crisis at our northern ports of entry, it is clear that urgent action is needed to protect our communities and our country. The Northern Border hasn’t seen a comprehensive threat analysis since 2017, and our strategy hasn’t been updated in over six years. Meanwhile, the CBP is already facing a shortage of nearly 6,000 officers—and is on track for a 400% retirement surge by 2028. This will leave our most vulnerable and geographically isolated border crossings dangerously understaffed and underprepared. I will continue fighting to ensure our region gets the resources, personnel, and strategic attention it deserves,” said Congressman Langworthy.
The legislation would:
- Require DHS to conduct a Northern Border Threat Analysis 180 days after enactment and every 5 years thereafter.
- Require future northern border threat analyses to include reports on staffing and staffing challenges, as well as plans to address these challenges.
- Establish the sense of Congress that CBP must begin a hiring surge to prevent the adverse effects of retirement surges and staffing shortages.
Background:
The last Northern Border Threat Analysis was conducted in 2017 and the Northern Border Strategy has not been updated since 2018 despite growing concerns about border security and staffing. According to the CBP Officer Workload Staffing Model, Customs and Border Protection is currently short 5,800 officers and testimony from then-Commissioner Troy Miller last Congress warned of a projected 400% surge in officer retirements by 2028.
Read the bill here.
Read exclusive story here.
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