San Antonio Standard

On June 12, 2024, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) advanced legislation aimed at enhancing America's homeland security, prioritizing the deportation of illegal immigrants, and supporting initiatives for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. These measures were included in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which passed the House Appropriations Committee with a vote of 33 to 26.

“I represent 823 miles of the southern border—El Paso, Eagle Pass, and Del Rio are all in my district. Unfortunately, South and West Texans have faced the brunt of President Biden’s open border nightmare. Under this administration, millions of illegal immigrants have poured into our country. The Republican-led House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation today that invests in border security infrastructure and technology, hires more deportation officers and Border Patrol Agents, and resumes construction of the southern border wall,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to advance national security priorities that will put Americans’ safety first.”

Key provisions secured by Congressman Gonzales in the bill include:

- Maintaining funding for 22,000 Border Patrol Agents

- $90 million for Operation Stonegarden

- $60 million to hire additional Deportation Officers and Criminal Investigators

- Directing DHS to report on cases dismissed due to failure to prosecute

- Rejecting catch-and-release policies

- Prioritizing critical renovations at checkpoints like Eagle Pass

In terms of border technology:

- $300 million for new border security technology

- $15 million each for counter-drones and small drones

- $15 million for enhanced communications equipment such as land mobile radios

- $171.4 million to sustain current border security technology

- Additional allocations including:

- $50.6 million for Autonomous Surveillance Towers

- $14 million for tactical aerostats

- $10.4 million for cross-border tunnel threats

- $7.1 million for counter drones

Further allocations include:

- $305 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Technology

- $20 million for the Border Security Deployment Program

- $50 million for innovative technology

For CBP workforce support and mental health:

- $160 million allocated for Border Patrol overtime

- $140.9 million to restore pay cuts at CBP

- $50 million dedicated to workforce care and suicide prevention

The bill also includes language supporting school safety initiatives through continued efforts by the School Safety Task Force.

For more details on the bill, click here.