U.S. ramps up border surveillance amid migrant aid debate and privacy concerns
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for January 30, 2024.
‘A partner that never sleeps’: Surveillance towers extend Border Patrol’s California reach
CalMatters’s reporter Wendy Fry writes about the heavy investments in surveillance technology at the US— Mexico border: As California debates its spending on migrant aid, the U.S. government is investing heavily in border surveillance. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to spend about $67.8 million on 277 new surveillance towers and upgrades to 191 existing ones over the next 14 years. With over $700 million in surveillance funding since 2017, this expansion is part of the Biden Administration's response to record-high illegal border crossings. However, this focus on surveillance has raised concerns among privacy and human rights advocates, questioning the need for extensive monitoring and the impact on local communities.
These towers, some capable of detecting movement from miles away, are seen as essential by the CBP for monitoring hard-to-reach areas like Jacumba Hot Springs and Otay Mountain Wilderness. However, activists worry about the militarization of California's border, already one of the most heavily-equipped in the U.S. The autonomous towers, developed by companies like Anduril and General Dynamics, use AI to identify and track objects of interest. They have raised privacy concerns due to their potential to monitor residents' activities.
Despite these concerns, the government defends the necessity of these towers for detecting illegal activities and ensuring agent safety. Meanwhile, state officials are grappling with budget constraints, making it challenging to allocate funds for humanitarian aid for migrants, who often rely on nonprofit support. The debate continues over the balance between security, privacy, and humanitarian assistance at the border.
President Biden has said he’d shut the US-Mexico border if given the ability. What does that mean?
The Associated Press’s Collette Long and Stephen Groves AP analyze President Joe Biden's recent statements about closing the US-Mexico border: President Biden, facing political pressure, has threatened to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, a move contingent on a congressional border deal linked to Ukrainian aid. This proposal, opposed by Trump and Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, would grant Biden emergency authority to halt border crossings when they overwhelm the system. While trade and legal crossings wouldn't stop, asylum screenings for illegal crossers would cease if daily crossings exceed a set limit. The plan aims to expedite asylum case resolutions and tighten eligibility criteria, addressing Republicans' concerns over the current system incentivizing migration. Trump's previous threats to close the border were criticized as extreme; Biden's similar rhetoric now risks alienating his progressive base. The deal's future is uncertain, as hardline conservatives dismiss it and bipartisan negotiators struggle to finalize the text. Biden's administration has taken multiple actions on immigration but has yet to achieve a comprehensive overhaul.
National Democrats Rally Behind Vallejo for Texas' 15th District Race
Texas Tribune’s Matthew Choi updates information about a pivotal race in Deep South Texas, just at the border with Mexico: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has chosen Michelle Vallejo to join its "Red to Blue" program, endorsing her challenge against Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas' 15th district. Vallejo, focusing on healthcare, social security, and reproductive rights, has local Democratic support frustrated by the lack of national backing in the last cycle. The DCCC sees the 15th district as a pivotal opportunity to gain a seat, with Vallejo already showing a strong fundraising start. Despite De La Cruz's victory last cycle, highlighted as a GOP success in Latino communities, Democrats are emphasizing Vallejo's local roots and progressive stance on issues like abortion and Medicare, positioning her as a relatable candidate against what they call the "MAGA extremist" De La Cruz.
Texas GOP Mulls Closing Primaries Amid Presidential Race Concerns
Texas Tribune’s reporter Patrick Svitek wrote an interesting piece on Republicans attempting to close the Texas primaries: The Texas GOP is considering limiting their primary voting to registered Republicans only as debates intensify with the presidential race underway. GOP activists have proposed a nonbinding ballot to assess support for closing the primaries, a move sparked by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's strategy to court non-GOP voters in open primary states like Texas. Current rules allow Texans to vote in either party's primary without declaring a party affiliation. Proponents of the closed primary system argue it's necessary to prevent Democrats from influencing GOP primaries, while others, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, see no pressing issue with the open system. The proposition's outcome could lead to Texas establishing a party registration system, significantly altering the state's political landscape.