The US Senate approved to add $3 billion to the homeland security spending bill to pay for new manpower, technology and fencing to bring the U.S.-Mexico border under operational control within two years.

Texas is an important factor in the issue of homeland security. The Governor recognizes that local law enforcement leaders are the "on-the-ground-experts" in the best position to develop and execute meaningful strategies. Although border security is a federal responsibility, Texas has an obligation to protect its citizens.

Since 2005, Gov. Perry has spearheaded the state-led strategy of putting more boots on the ground, more helicopters in the sky, and more resources in the hands of border law enforcement in order to curb criminal activity along the Texas – Mexico border. Local sheriffs’ offices and police departments have worked side-by-side with their state and federal partners during these highly successful border security operations, including Operation Linebacker, Operation Rio Grande and, most recently, Operation Wrangler.

“We have proven that our strategy of increasing manpower and patrols along the border decreases criminal activity,” Perry said. “We will continue to apply these methods of success across the state, and I will continue to urge Congress to meet its long-term responsibility by providing the necessary resources and manpower to secure our nation’s borders.”

Texas Policy Framework

• Two-thirds (1,240 miles) of the U.S.-Mexico border lies in Texas.
• Legitimate commerce and travel between Mexico and the United States is vital to the Texas and U.S. economies. Travel and trade must not be slowed by threats from terrorist and criminal organizations.
• New technologies at ports of entry increase the speed of commerce and travel and strengthen our security. Texas fully supports federal efforts to expand the use of technology at the border.
• Texas supports all of the federal initiatives, but they will take time to implement. We must move quickly to reduce the threat from international terrorists, organized crime and gangs who exploit the border. Texas also recommends the following immediate federal actions:
• Designate the border a high-threat area, making local agencies along the border eligible for additional homeland security funds.
• Authorize the use of homeland security funding to pay for law enforcement positions and overtime to expand patrols in the border region.

The $3 billion approved would fund the promises Congress already has made on border security, and also provide significant enforcement increases beyond those already pledged. Below is the breakdown on how the money will be distributed within the Department of Homeland Security.

BREAKDOWN ON WHERE MONEY WOULD GO

The money would let the Department of Homeland Security:

• Increase the Border Patrol to 23,000 agents by 2012
• Construct 700 miles of fencing at the U.S.-Mexico border and 300 miles of vehicle barriers.
• Permit the purchase of four unmanned aerial vehicles to scan for illegal crossers, and add 105 ground-based radar and camera towers integral to the operation of a "virtual" fence.
• Nearly double the detention space for apprehended illegal immigrants to 45,000 beds.
• Add 6,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, 2,500 more Customs and Border Protection officers and 1,000 investigators to combat alien smuggling.

Along with the increase of agents comes the increase of technology. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for developing a system to control the border that provides absolute detection, identification, response, and resolution to unauthorized border entries.

In order to accomplish this they have created the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), which is a comprehensive plan to gain operational control of the U.S. borders through the integration of increased staffing, interior enforcement, detection technology and infrastructure, and coordination on federal, state, local and international levels.

A critical component of SBI is SBInet, a program focused on transforming border control through technology and infrastructure. SBInet will provide frontline personnel advantages in securing the nation's land borders through the most effective integration of current and next generation technology, infrastructure, staffing and response platforms. The SBInet solution will be managed and executed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, and will be deployed using a homeland security threat-based approach. An SBInet contractor will supply the DHS with both hardware and software necessary to accomplish its goals.

The SBInet contractor will:

• Develop a highly reliable, available, maintainable, and cost effective solution to manage, control and secure the border using the optimal mix of proven current and next generation technology, infrastructure, personnel, response capabilities and processes.
• Develop a near real time Common Operating Picture (COP) of the border environment, which provides commonality within various DHS components, and inter-operability with other Federal, state, local and Tribal partners outside of DHS. The COP must provide a mechanism that communicates comprehensive situational awareness, including information incorporating intelligence driven operations capabilities at all operational levels and locations.
• Throughout the term of the contract demonstrate continuous improvement in performance and reliability, and reduction in total operating cost.
• Align its interests, motivation, and behaviors and that of its team members and subcontractors with the Government's.
• Maintain the highest level of service consistent with cost effectiveness. Provide and document audit and oversight activities that facilitate external reviews and assessments to prove that DHS is receiving superior supplies and services at fair and reasonable prices.
• Establish a flexible, transparent, and responsive performance management information system that provides insightful, accurate and timely information on both program status as well as performance reporting against mission measures and metrics.
• Develop a solution that supports DHS compliance with Government standards and identified constraints.
• Promote productive relationships with small business subcontractors and team members under the small business program as detailed in FAR Part 19 and in accordance with DHS goals and objectives

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the award of the contract to the Boeing Co. to implement SBInet along the United States northern and southern borders. The landmark SBInet program will provide DHS, and its agents and officers, with the best possible solution to detect, identify, classify, respond to and resolve illegal entry attempts at our land borders with Mexico and Canada.

“SBInet will integrate the latest technology and infrastructure to interdict illegal immigration and stop threats attempting to cross borders,” said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. “This strategic partnership allows the department to exploit private sector ingenuity and expertise to quickly secure our nation’s borders.”

Boeing’s award of the SBInet acquisition was made through a full and open best value competition. The SBInet contract has a performance period of three years, with a potential for three one-year long contract extensions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s SBI Program Management Office serves as executive agent for the department’s SBInet program—leading, managing and working with Boeing to implement this comprehensive multi-year plan to secure America’s borders and reduce illegal migration.

The Boeing SBInet team offers the combined experience in deploying large-scale systems integration efforts as well as in security, border security, surveillance systems and other areas that enable the team to understand the needs and challenges of CBP and the Border Patrol to deliver the right SBInet solution.

The Boeing team will deploy the following hardware and software systems:

• Ground-based and tower-mounted sensors, cameras and radars
• Fixed and mobile telecommunications systems
• Ground-penetrating detecting systems
• Command and control center equipment
• Information database and intelligence analysis systems

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The influx of money will impact McAllen's economy in several ways. The job growth potential comes from not only the public sector but the technology sector as well. Many people will be relocating to the area to fulfill the jobs that will be generated.

The real estate market will see an increase of demand from not only those relocating but from the current residents whose income will increase from the new jobs in the area. The effect of trickle down economics will help boost the overall local economy which means the retail and service sector will see an increase as well.

McAllen is already considered the "Jewel in the Valley Crown." During the past two decades, this area has made bold advances, with unprecedented growth in both population and industrial attraction. The news of the $3 billion means that McAllen will continue to prosper and continue to rate among the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation.

Currently, the McAllen MSA is rated:

• Fastest Growing Metro in the State of Texas
• # 1 in Job Growth in the United States
• # 2 Lowest Cost Area to Live in
• # 4 in Nation for Job Creation and Retention
• # 8 Fastest Growing Metro in the United States
• 4% Annual Population Growth Rate

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2005, Milken Best Performing Cities Index, Forbes Magazine 2005)

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