Observation on the Costs and Benefits of an Increased Department of Defense Role in Helping to Secure the Southwest Land Border

The Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that the southwest border continues to be vulnerable to cross-border illegal activity, including the smuggling of humans and illegal narcotics. In recent years, the National Guard has played a role in helping to secure the southwest border by providing the Border Patrol with information on the identification of individuals attempting to cross the southwest border into the U.S. This report assesses: (1) what is known about the costs and...
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The Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that the southwest border continues to be vulnerable to cross-border illegal activity, including the smuggling of humans and illegal narcotics. In recent years, the National Guard has played a role in helping to secure the southwest border by providing the Border Patrol with information on the identification of individuals attempting to cross the southwest border into the U.S. This report assesses: (1) what is known about the costs and benefits of an increased DOD role to help achieve operational control over the southwest land border, including the deployment of additional units, the National Guard, or other DOD personnel; increased use of ground-based mobile surveillance systems by military personnel; and use of additional mobile patrols by military personnel, particularly in rural, high-trafficked areas; and (2) what is known about the costs and benefits of an increased deployment of additional unmanned aerial systems and manned aircraft to provide surveillance; as well as the impact of any increased deployment of unmanned aerial systems or manned aircraft on national airspace use and availability. Figures. This is a print on demand report.