Staff Reports
The Biden administration is making a significant alteration to the surveillance blimps, called aerostats, used for monitoring the U.S.-Mexico border. Because of the cost of the program, the number of aerostats will be decreased from twelve to four. This change is being made despite the fact that illegal crossings into the country are at an all-time high.
Biden is intent on erasing our border. https://t.co/xp8R0b92u2
— Border Patrol Union – NBPC (@BPUnion) February 9, 2023
Aerostats play a crucial role for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in detecting attempted border crossings. They have an advantage over helicopters and airplanes as they can remain in the air for extended periods. The Department of Defense agreed to allocate $52 million to keep the aerostats in operation until the end of the fiscal year 2022. The Biden administration also added a blimp in Nogales, Arizona last year. According to a CBP spokesperson, the technology has been in use along the border since 2013 and the blimp has a maximum altitude of 3,000 feet, enabling Border Patrol to monitor border activities.
Our live report this AM on the Biden admin’s decision to significantly reduce the number of vital surveillance blimps in use along the southern border. CBP sources tell me the funding dried up, & this will artificially lower known gotaways numbers. Can’t count what you can’t see. pic.twitter.com/qVQg3HwKlJ
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 9, 2023
In a statement, CBP confirms a reduction in aerostats.
“The U.S. Border Patrol began reducing the number of Tactical Aerostats it deploys along the southwest border on January 1, 2023. Although the Border Patrol’s number of aerostats will be reduced, the Border Patrol will…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 9, 2023
On January 1, 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol initiated the process of reducing the deployment of Tactical Aerostats along the southwestern border. Although the number of aerostats will be reduced, they will continue to be utilized throughout the fiscal year 2023. The Border Patrol is also exploring other surveillance technology options for the land border and increasing the usage of aerostats along coastal borders.
The reduction in the number of aerostats is part of the Biden administration’s broader effort to tackle the persistent crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Although aerostats are a vital means of monitoring illegal crossings, they are also costly, and reducing their quantity is a cost-saving measure while still preserving surveillance.
The Biden administration is taking a multifaceted approach to addressing the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Reducing the number of aerostats is just one part of this effort. By looking into other pieces of surveillance technology and expanding aerostat usage along costal borders, they are working to ensure that illegal entries are monitored while also being mindful of costs.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Townhall
