One-third of DHS’s border surveillance cameras don’t even work

The House Committee on Homeland Security is investigating Customs and Border Protection's surveillance network along the US-Mexico border after a report revealed nearly one-third of the agency's cameras are non-operational. An internal memo stated that 150 out of 500 cameras are not working due to technical problems. The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for servicing the cameras, but the agency has struggled to meet Border Patrol's needs. As a result, Border Patrol is considering replacing the FAA with a contractor for technical support. Rep. Mark E. Green has requested information on the camera system from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by October 23rd. Green's letter claims that sources reported 66 percent of the cameras were inoperable, a higher figure than the internal memo. A bipartisan border infrastructure bill that would have funded repairs to the camera systems was blocked by Senate Republicans. A CBP official stated that the agency's surveillance apparatus has not been properly managed for 20 years. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has noted that CBP's surveillance networks have been costly and ineffective at reducing unauthorized border crossings. Despite the issues with the surveillance network, unauthorized border crossings have dropped significantly in recent months.