HR 993: Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

HR 993 in plain English: This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to create a plan for identifying and deploying emerging technologies to improve border security. The plan must be delivered to Congress within 180 days and cover goals, timelines, privacy impacts, and how older border technology programs may be replaced. CBP would also be authorized to form Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies for border use.

Stated purpose

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security to create a plan for finding, testing, and deploying new and advanced technologies — such as artificial intelligence, sensors, and radar — to improve border security operations and fill gaps in existing capabilities.

Key points

• Requires CBP and DHS to develop a plan to identify and deploy new border security technologies within 180 days
• Authorizes CBP to create Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies
• Plan must address privacy and security impacts of new technology on border communities
• Covered technologies may include AI, machine learning, LIDAR sensors, fiber-optic sensing, and imaging systems
• CBP must report to Congress annually on Innovation Team activities

Arguments supporters make

• Using modern technology like AI and advanced sensors can make border security more effective without necessarily requiring more personnel, filling gaps in current capabilities.
• Requiring a written plan with clear goals, timelines, and metrics makes the government more accountable and ensures taxpayer money is spent wisely on border technology.
• Including a privacy and security impact assessment for border communities shows the bill tries to balance security needs with the rights of people who live in those areas.

Arguments opponents make

• The bill mainly requires planning and reporting, but does not guarantee that any new technology will actually be funded or deployed, meaning it could produce paperwork without real results.
• Expanding surveillance technology — including AI, drones, and sensors — along the border raises serious civil liberties concerns for border communities, and a required assessment does not mean those concerns will be acted upon.
• Relying heavily on commercial and private-sector technologies could favor large contractors, raise costs over time, or introduce security vulnerabilities if outside vendors gain access to sensitive border operations.

Tradeoffs

Deploying more advanced border technology may improve security effectiveness but could also increase surveillance of border communities and raise privacy concerns; the bill requires an impact assessment but leaves decisions about acceptable tradeoffs to the agency and Congress rather than setting firm limits.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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