Heitkamp, Ayotte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Northern Border

Press Release

U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, today announced they will introduce bipartisan legislation to require a comprehensive examination of how to strengthen American security at the Northern Border - the longest common land border in the world.

At 5,500 miles long, including 1,500 miles between Alaska and Canada, the Northern Border has 120 border crossings, many of which are small and in rural areas. Heitkamp and Ayotte's bill aims to address challenges at the Northern Border by requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to do a full assessment of the security threats and challenges at the border.

Their Northern Border Security Review Act would specifically look into issues with recruiting and retaining border security officials to cover the Northern Border, including at more remote areas of the border. It would also determine tools border security officials need to effectively combat drug and human trafficking at the Northern Border, identify technology that could expand the reach of border agents, and find vulnerabilities in cooperation between Canadian, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

"We certainly need to keep a close eye on our southern border, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the Northern Border," said Heitkamp. "When I visited the Northern Border with DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in April, we heard from local and federal border security officials and law enforcement in Pembina about difficulties with recruiting officials to work remote areas of the border and the increases in crime across the border. These are challenges we must take seriously, and our bipartisan bill would help give issues across the 5,500 mile-long Northern Border the attention they deserve. By bringing a stronger focus to these challenges, especially as North Dakota's population has surged, we can makes sure all of our border security officials have the tools they need to keep the border, and our communities, strong and safe."

"Securing our nation's borders is one of my top priorities. We've seen tragic examples of what happens when our enforcement system fails-whether it involves a criminal alien taking an innocent life or illegal drugs flowing into our country and communities. We must continue to combat heroin trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal entries at our southern border, but it's also important to ensure our northern border is appropriately equipped to guard against terrorist and criminal threats," said Ayotte. "Our bill will ensure that we have a full understanding of the northern border's needs, strengths, and vulnerabilities so that we can protect our country from current or potential criminal or terror threats. New Hampshire law enforcement officials, particularly those serving Coos County, are critical to maintaining the security of our border with Canada and we must ensure that federal authorities are working collaboratively with them to identify, understand, and confront threats."

The United States and Canada conducted a joint border and threat risk assessment in 2011. Subsequently, the DHS published its Northern Border Strategy in 2012. Given the constant changes along the Northern Border, it is critical that the United States update its threat assessment so it can effectively respond to today's challenges. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border every day, representing the largest bilateral flows of goods and people in the world.

The bill specifically follows up on feedback and concerns Heitkamp heard from federal, state, county and local officials and law enforcement when she brought DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to North Dakota in April to tour the Northern Border. They visited the Port of Entry and Border Patrol facilities in Pembina, and held a discussion with federal border security officials and local sheriffs about issues regarding cooperation among law enforcement and challenges in recruiting and retaining a strong border security workforce. They also discussed ways to improve efforts to combat human and drug trafficking, as well as ways to expand the use of technology to help protect the border. Following Mayorkas' visit, Heitkamp successfully called for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to hold a hearing on the Northern Border.

Cosponsors of Heitkamp and Ayotte's bill include Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI).

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