TESTIMONY OF

Gloria I. Chavez
Chief Patrol Agent
Rio Grande Valley Sector
John R. Modlin
Chief Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
For a Hearing
BEFORE
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Oversight and Accountability
ON“On The Front Lines of the Border Crisis: A Hearing with Chief Patrol Agents”
February 7, 2023
Washington, DC

Introduction
Chairman Comer, Ranking Member Raskin, and Members of the Committee, thank you for theopportunity to discuss the U.S. Border Patrol’s (USBP) critical operations at the Southwest
Border. We are honored to appear today and represent the dedicated and talented men and womenof USBP. As an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), USBP iscommitted to enforcing the nation’s laws, protecting our national security, keeping dangerous
drugs and people from crossing our borders, and providing safe and humane conditions for those in
our custody.
Since 1924, USBP has been entrusted with protecting the American people and promoting
economic prosperity through our border and national security mission. Despite the myriad threatsthat we have confronted throughout our history, including smuggling, irregular migration, andterrorism, we continually learn, evolve, and mature to ensure excellence in protecting thehomeland with professionalism while maintaining public trust.
Current State of the Border
Evolving global and regional events continue to produce challenging conditions and trends along
the Southwest Border that directly affect USBP’s border security operations. Most notably, we
continue to respond to elevated levels of migrant encounters and adapt to changing migrant
demographics, while also addressing the ongoing and dynamic threat of transnational criminalorganizations (TCOs).
Historically, most migrants USBP encountered were from Mexico and northern Central America.
However, dynamic conditions along the Southwest Border indicate a changing demographic, one
in which individuals and family units are migrating from countries much farther away.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, USBP encountered 2,214,652 migrants from 174 countries. In FY 2023
to date, 1 USBP encountered 673,126 migrants from 142 countries. Individuals from Mexico andnorthern Central America accounted for just 24 percent of unique encounters 2 in December 2022,
a significant drop from the 42 percent they represented a year earlier. After the October 2022
announcement of the Venezuela parole process and expulsions to Mexico, Venezuelans have beenencountered between the ports of entry at far lower numbers. Early data suggests the expandedmeasures for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans are having a similar impact with a 97 percent
drop in encounters between ports of entry in January 2023 compared to December 2022.
Encounters with individuals from these countries dropped from a seven-day average of 3,367 per
day on December 11, 2022, to a seven-day average of just 115 on January 24, 2023. The decline
in encounters from those populations occurred even as encounters of other noncitizens are
returning to customary levels after a typical seasonal decline over the holidays.
USBP is committed to the safe and humane processing of all encountered migrants while also
preventing the entry of illegal drugs and dangerous persons. In FY 2022, USBP intercepted andseized 111,737 pounds of illegal drugs, including 18,348 pounds of methamphetamine, 12,469

1
2

As of January 13, 2023.
Unique encounters include persons not previously encountered in the prior 12 months.
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pounds of cocaine, and 2,207 pounds of fentanyl. 3 USBP also encountered 12,028 subjects who
had records of criminal histories, including 62 with homicide or manslaughter convictions and 365
with sexual offense convictions. We have ensured, and continue to ensure, that before any
individual is released from USBP custody, he or she is vetted and screened and is determined not
to pose a public safety or national security risk.
Increased numbers of migrants in USBP custody, combined with migrant demographics that makeit more difficult to remove them from the United States due to complicated diplomatic relations
with the country of removal, have led to logistical and operational challenges, especiallyconcerning capacity constraints and care of migrants in processing facilities. However, USBP
continues to work with our partners to help ensure efficient processing of all migrants in ourcustody.
While irregular migration levels have remained elevated for several years, there has been a marked
decrease since the announcement of new border enforcement measures in January 2023. USBP’s
ability to manage migrant flow has vastly improved through investments in personnel, facilities,
processing efficiencies, and technological improvements. USBP also draws on past experience
with migrant surges and other challenges as it plans for and adapts to emerging conditions toensure we can remain focused on our border security mission.

Improving Processing Capabilities
Once the Title 42 public health order ultimately ends, USBP will continue to use its full range ofimmigration authorities under Title 8 of the U.S. Code to process migrants encountered at theborder, as we have done throughout our agency’s history. Under Title 8, noncitizens who enter theUnited States without authorization are placed into appropriate immigration proceedings, including
expedited removal or proceedings before an immigration judge where they may make a claim forasylum or other protection.
USBP has accelerated ongoing efforts to improve processing operations by deploying additional
non-uniformed support personnel; expanding capacity and improving conditions at processing
facilities; investing in virtual and mobile processing technologies; and strengthening coordination
with partner agencies and organizations. These initiatives expand USBP’s capabilities andstreamline operations to ensure the safe and humane processing of migrants while also relieving
agents of non-enforcement duties.
Increasing Non-Uniformed Support Personnel
USBP deployed the first class of Border Patrol Processing Coordinators (BPPCs) in April 2021 tobetter meet the demands of processing noncitizens. BPPCs support Border Patrol agents withhumanitarian care and intake processing of noncitizens and provide administrative and logisticalsupport related to data entry and filing, personal property management, transportation, and welfare
checks. These BPPCs have allowed agents to return to field work more quickly. To date, USBP
has 978 BPPCs on board with nearly 200 more finalizing training and deployment. We have also
expanded the use of contract personnel along the Southwest Border to include 249 contract
security personnel for the Centralized Processing Centers (CPCs) and 535 contracted processors tohandle data entry and management tasks; another 285 are pending deployment.
3

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics.
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Expanding Facilities and Services
USBP continues to increase facility capacity and add short-term facilities at key border locations to
reduce over-crowding and accommodate varying demographics of migrants encountered crossing
the Southwest Border. CBP reopened the Rio Grande Valley CPC in McAllen, Texas, in March2022 after extensive renovations which dramatically improved CBP’s ability to process migrants
encountered at the border in a safe, orderly, and humane manner.
Additionally, CBP announced the opening of a new soft-sided facility in El Paso, Texas, onJanuary 11, 2023, which provides additional processing capacity for USBP’s El Paso Sector. The
facility is weatherproof, climate-controlled, and provides ample areas for eating, sleeping, andpersonal hygiene. Another soft-sided facility opened in the San Diego Sector on January 31. The
new soft-sided facilities include wrap around service contracts that provide sanitation, janitorial,
food, and medical services necessary to ensure appropriate conditions for migrants and USBP
personnel.
The renovation of the McAllen CPC and opening of new soft-sided facilities are part of CBP’s
broader goal to safely process individuals CBP encounters, as well as increase capacity andimprove facility conditions for migrants, agents, officers, and processing coordinators. We arealso maximizing the use of air and ground transportation to move migrants from USBP Sectorsthat are over capacity to other less impacted CBP locations.
Investing in Virtual and Mobile Processing Technologies
Working with our partners, USBP is mobilizing and shifting personnel in anticipation of potential
migration surges at the Southwest Border, providing resources to areas with the most need. USBP
is also investing in virtual and mobile processing technologies that are making processing
functions more efficient, allowing USBP to enlist the support of agents outside the Southwest
Border region without requiring them to be physically present.
A key aspect of USBP’s efforts to streamline processing operations is the Electronic Alien File(commonly referred to as an “A-File”). The initiative to make the A-File electronic will enable
CBP, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) to share and maintain a single file in a digital environment. USBP recently
completed the first phase of its implementation of the end-to-end digital A-file for subjects
processed for a Notice to Appear (NTA). Based on the success of the first phase, USBP isplanning to continue implementation of the fully digital A-file for the NTA disposition nationwide
in the coming months and to expand this capability to additional processes in the future. Thistransition will modernize USBP operations and lead to fully digital subject processing.
CBP will also increase access to, and promote use of, the Unified Immigration Portal (UIP), a
centralized location where relevant immigration-related data from multiple agencies involved in
the immigration process can be accessed. The platform delivers mission-critical information tousers through dashboards, services, and data integration capabilities, facilitating expeditious
processing of subjects and increasing visibility for interagency operations during surges.
Coordinating with Partners
Although a critical component, the USBP is only one part of the larger border security enterprise,and collaboration with our partners—foreign and domestic—multiplies the effectiveness of ourPage 3 of 6

border security. It is our responsibility to ensure we coordinate, as appropriate, operations with
our partners to maximize their impact, while avoiding unnecessary disruptions or conflicts.
While the current border challenges are unprecedented in many ways, so too are the collaborationand joint efforts to address changing border conditions. USBP is a key component of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-led strategy to ensure a comprehensive and deliberative
response to current and emerging conditions along our Southwest Border. The strategy involves
surging resources; increasing efficiency to reduce strain on the border; employing an aggressive
consequence regime; coordinating with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in conjunction
with state and local partners; targeting cartels and smugglers; and working with our regional
partners. USBP is a key partner agency in DHS’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force, whichseeks to eliminate the barriers between federal and local investigations, close the gap withinternational partners in multinational criminal investigations, and create an environment thatminimizes the vulnerabilities in our operations that TCOs have traditionally capitalized on to
exploit our nation’s land and sea borders. This comprehensive plan leverages a whole-ofgovernment approach to prepare for and manage the current level and possible future increases inencounters of migrants at our Southwest Border.
USBP will continue to work with the DHS Southwest Border Coordination Center’s Movement
Coordination Cell (MCC), a standing interagency group charged with overseeing expedited
processing and transfer of unaccompanied children and other vulnerable individuals out of CBP
custody. The MCC, comprised of DHS personnel from CBP and ICE, as well as personnel fromthe Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, was formed tofacilitate communication and problem-solving among U.S. government agencies to specificallyaddress the flow of vulnerable populations. In addition, USBP appreciates critical ground andaviation support capabilities provided by the Department of Defense for detection and monitoringat the Southwest Border.
CBP is also communicating with various NGOs, including a range of non-profit organizations,faith-based entities, and others — both at and away from the border — regarding appropriate careand transportation of migrants released from custody. Furthermore, we continue to work closelywith foreign governments to conduct joint enforcement operations.

Strengthening Border Enforcement
In anticipation of increased migrant processing, USBP is focused on ensuring other security
measures and enforcement programs are not circumvented or compromised by the response to
emerging events. USBP’s deployment of resources and technology enables it to gain awareness of
threats and swiftly adapt processes to changing situations along the border.
Combating Human Smuggling
USBP’s posture and response to migration events are informed by comprehensive analyses of
information and intelligence on operations of smugglers and the movement of migrants. We are
more effectively tracking movements of various migrant groups who may be headed towards the
U.S. border and increasing investigation and prosecution of human smuggling networks
responsible for unauthorized border crossings.

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CBP launched Operation Sentinel, a new counter-network targeting operation focused directly on
TCOs affiliated with smuggling migrants into the United States, in April 2021. More than 480
nonimmigrant visas and more than 300 Global Entry and SENTRI cards have been revoked since
the launch of Operation Sentinel, and more than 20 businesses and associated entities have beentargeted for suspension or debarment. Lookouts have been placed on 2,822 individuals associatedwith TCOs’ illicit activity. More than 2,000 individuals involved in illicit money transactions havebeen identified and referred to interagency partners for law enforcement actions. Operation
Sentinel refers all cases with potential prosecutorial interest to Federal and state investigative
partners for review and prosecution.
Additionally, USBP supports the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)-established Joint Task ForceAlpha initiative, which counters TCOs affiliated with migrant smuggling by targeting theirmembers and associates. DHS and its components are working with DOJ to leverage joint
investigative, prosecutorial, and capacity-building efforts to investigate and prosecute the mostprolific and dangerous human smuggling and human trafficking groups operating in Mexico andnorthern Central America.
Migrant smugglers put vulnerable individuals and families in danger every day. The Southwest
Border region experiences dramatic and unpredictable temperature changes year-round, meaning
individuals lost or left behind in desolate areas are at risk of drowning, dehydration, heat stroke,
injuries, or death. During FY 2022, USBP agents rescued more than 22,075 individuals in a wide
variety of circumstances. This critical work continues, and agents have conducted nearly 5,000
rescues already this fiscal year. CBP has increased the number of rescue beacons used on theSouthwest Border and our CBP officers and agents continue to stand ready to provide lifesaving
assistance to all who need it.
Interdicting Illicit Drugs
USBP remains focused on the TCOs that continue to expand across and beyond the Southwest andNorthern Borders and increasingly demonstrate their ability to illicitly transport synthetic
narcotics, including methamphetamine, illicitly manufactured fentanyl, and fentanyl
analogues. Most illicit drugs, including fentanyl, enter the United States through our Southwest
Border ports of entry in privately owned vehicles, commercial vehicles, and even by pedestrians. 4
TCOs continually adjust their criminal operations to circumvent law enforcement detection andinterdiction by adjusting their tactics, techniques, and procedures in the smuggling of narcotics thatcan be transported in profitable quantities by advanced concealment techniques. Throughintelligence gathering and analysis, advances in detection technology, counter network strategies,
collaboration with other Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and interdictions,
USBP adjusts law enforcement operations to combat TCO illicit activity and disrupt theiroperations.
Leveraging Technology and Supporting Agents
USBP relies on effective surveillance of suspect activity along the land borders as a criticalelement of CBP’s border security operations. In FY 2022, USBP continued to deploy proven,effective surveillance technology, including aerostats, mobile surveillance capability systems,

4

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics
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remote video surveillance systems, and integrated fixed towers tailored to specific operational
requirements along the highest trafficked areas of the Southwest Border.
USBP is also expanding its use of Team Awareness Kits, a digital tool that greatly enhances
coordination and collaboration among response teams. This innovative solution enables tactical
data to be generated, visualized, and securely shared. The tool facilitates daily operations for
public safety organizations and allows different organizations which do not regularly communicate
to maintain shared tactical awareness.
Technology is often regarded as a force multiplier, but it is meaningless without dedicated andskilled personnel to operate it. The men and women of USBP are our greatest asset, and theirwork is extremely demanding, both physically and emotionally. When planning and implementing
any operational change or technological deployment, we assess and prioritize every opportunity toenhance the preparedness, safety, and well-being of the USBP workforce.
Enhancing Resiliency
CBP lost 11 colleagues to suicide in calendar year 2021 and 15 colleagues in 2022, including three
in one week. One is too many. It was a tough year for the well-being of our agents. We need tocontinue investing in programs that provide direct support and communicate critical information to
our workforce and their families, while improving our operational capabilities to allow agents tofocus on their primary mission. Additionally, we, as an agency, need to work to identify the root
causes of why we are seeing suicides at the current rate.
USBP recently began the Be the One campaign as a call for action to bring suicidal ideation to theforefront. We need to check in on each other, not just at work, but in life, and talk to and engage
with one another in meaningful ways. We work long hours away from our families, so we need totake care of one another.
CBP leadership has directed that every CBP employee receive in-person suicide prevention
training in 2023. CBP’s Office of Training and Development, in partnership with the CBP
Workforce & Resiliency Directorate and Dr. Kent Corso, developed a three-day train-the-trainer
course that started in January as part of the effort to reach all hands.
USBP has also directed that every employee completes a two-day Basic Resiliency Skills Courseby the end of calendar year 2023.
Conclusion
Although the continued elevated levels of migration over the last several years have presented
many challenges, they have also led USBP to evolve, adapt, increase efficiency, and invest in our
processing enterprise and technology. These investments, together with the resiliency, dedication,and professionalism of the men and women of USBP, enable USBP’s continued mission successof securing our border and keeping the American people safe while providing proper care to thosein our custody.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. We look forward to your questions.

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