Skip to content
Newsletter Signup
  1. News
  2. Press Releases
Published:

Senator Hassan Pushes for Increased Personnel and Resources at the Northern Border in Hearing with DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan highlighted the need for increased personnel and resources at the Northern Border to combat a recent rise in attempted border crossings and pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to increase inspections at the Southern border to disrupt drug cartels during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing today.

To watch Senator Hassan’s questioning, click here

Senator Hassan raised concerns about the recent increase in border crossings at the Swanton Sector of the Northern Border, where she recently visited and received an update from U.S. Border Patrol leaders, and asked Secretary Mayorkas about specific measures that DHS is taking to increase security at the Northern Border and stop drug trafficking. Senator Hassan also raised the issue of limited cell phone service in the area and pushed Secretary Mayorkas on the need to increase technology and communications infrastructure along the border. Secretary Mayorkas acknowledged the challenges at the Northern Border and shared that DHS is working to increase personnel at our borders.

In addition, Senator Hassan asked Secretary Mayorkas about steps that DHS is taking to address an increase in individuals on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross U.S borders. Secretary Mayorkas said that they are increasing biometric sharing with international partners – to identify potential threats before a person tries to cross the border – and increasing homeland security investigations on this threat.

In order to combat drug trafficking, Senator Hassan pressed Secretary Mayorkas on the need to perform more inspections to stop the flow of weapons and money from the U.S. to drug cartels. Lastly, Senator Hassan asked about how DHS can provide support to Mexican authorities to stop the flow of precursor fentanyl chemicals from China to Mexico – which can then become fentanyl that is smuggled to the U.S.

###