[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DHS ILLICIT CROSS-BORDER TUNNEL DEFENSE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4209, 
the ``Department of Homeland Security Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel 
Defense Act.''
  This bill authorizes for FY2022 and FY2023 U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection activities to identify and close tunnels criminals use to 
illegally cross our Southern Border.
  This bill also directs the Customs and Border Patrol to develop and 
report to Congress a strategic plan to improve tunnel closures.
  According to Customs and Border Patrol, Cross-border tunnels are dug 
by transnational criminal organizations to smuggle contraband into the 
U.S. from neighboring countries. Current detection capabilities rely on 
random tips and the laborious collection of human intelligence 
(HUMINT).
  When tunnels are discovered, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have limited ability to access 
the tunnel to arrest and prosecute those involved in creating and using 
the tunnel.
  The reason behind such limited ability is because Customs and Border 
Patrol lack the needed fiscal resources needed to combat tunnel 
construction and usage. This bill aims to ameliorate that problem.
  Mr. Speaker, after considering statements from Customs and Border 
Patrol, it is clear that people seeking a better life do not use 
illegal tunnels to achieve such ends. The tunnels are instead used by 
those seeking to wreak havoc and bring crime into our communities, with 
no other purpose.
  For example, upon discovery of a 183-foot-long subterranean tunnel in 
Mexicali, Baja California, near the international border, Cardell T. 
Morant, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego said, ``These types of 
tunnels enable drug traffickers to conduct illicit activities virtually 
undetected across the U.S.-Mexico border.''
  Morant continued, ``Discovering and shutting down these tunnels deals 
a major blow to drug trafficking organizations because it denies them 
the ability to smuggle drugs, weapons and people across the border.''
  That tunnel had an entrance measuring 12 feet by 10 feet and extended 
3 feet north of the international border wall but had no exit on the 
U.S. side of the border, apparently creating temporary exits on an ad 
hoc basis.
  The Drug Trafficking Organization who designed it equipped the tunnel 
with electricity, ventilation, a rail system with a cart, and an 
electric hoist.
  Mr. Speaker, these tunnels, even if they are only open for a short 
period, can allow traffickers to move massive amounts of drugs, humans, 
currency, and firearms back-and-forth between Mexico and the United 
States.
  As Chair of the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Committee, I 
am committed to ensuring our internal and homeland security. Fighting 
these criminals at every turn is critical to achieving of that 
objective, and this bill provides the CBP additional tools for that 
purpose.
  I am therefore proud to support H.R. 4209, the ``Department of 
Homeland Security Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act'' and urge my 
colleagues to as well.

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