During the State of the Union address on March 1, President Biden called for tightened border security and highlighted the “cutting-edge” technology currently being deployed at ports of entry to fortify the border.
“If we are to advance liberty and justice, we need to secure the border and fix the immigration system,” Biden stated. “It’s not only the right thing to do—it’s the economically smart thing to do.”
Biden referenced new scanning technology as a key component in detecting and mitigating drug smuggling operations.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is currently deploying non-intrusive inspection technology that uses large-scale X-ray and Gammaray imaging systems in conjunction with portable and handheld scanning technologies to detect contraband and materials that may pose threats to national security.
The agency’s NII program is expected to see considerable expansion, according to Archie Williams, acquisition program director for CBP’s Non-Intrusive Inspection Systems Program Office.
Williams is slated to speak in a panel conversation during an upcoming border forum to discuss how his office is accelerating the NII program in response to new and emerging border security threats.
A non-intrusive imaging examination led to the seizure on Tuesday of over $841,000 worth of illegal substances at the southern U.S. border.
Biden also said joint patrols with Mexico and Guatemala are currently helping the Department of Homeland Security to “catch more human traffickers.”
Officials from CBP, DHS and industry will convene to discuss critical border security issues and priorities during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2022 Border Protection Innovations and Technology Forum on March 15.
Thomas Overacker, executive director of Cargo and Conveyance Security for CBP will headline the virtual forum and share his insights into how new technologies and expanded industry partnerships are being leveraged to enhance border security.
Register now for the border forum!
