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119-s-1184119th Congress

Cross Border Aerial Law Enforcement Operations Act

Sponsored By: Senator Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a framework for joint U.S.-Canada aerial law enforcement operations along the northern border. It would tie the program to a bilateral agreement and require privacy and civil rights training for participating officers.

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  • Border residents: People living within 50 miles of the U.S.-Canada border would be subject to coordinated aerial law enforcement activities, with the program required to include protections for civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy.
  • Law enforcement agencies: The Department of Homeland Security could staff the program with approved officers from Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, other designated federal agencies, and Canadian law enforcement, and would set communication protocols to support safe cross-border operations.
  • Unmanned aircraft systems and oversight: The bill would require an unclassified report within 1 year on unmanned aircraft systems, counter-UAS feasibility, interagency coordination, and privacy risks, and it would require a contingency report if the program is not set up within 2 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Cross-border aerial law enforcement

If enacted, the bill would let DHS set up a shared U.S.-Canada aerial law enforcement program only after a bilateral agreement. The program could follow a prior 2009 maritime framework. It would cover territory within 50 miles of either side of the northern border, with limited exceptions for aircraft departures/returns or emergencies. U.S. participants could include CBP, Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies the Secretary names. U.S. and Canadian officers would need training on civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy before they join. The Secretary would send a signed copy of the bilateral agreement to specified House and Senate committees within 30 days of receiving it, and a written program description within 30 days after implementation.

No new funding authorized

If enacted, the bill would state that no additional funds are authorized to carry out this Act. The bill itself would not appropriate money. This could make it harder to start or fully run the authorized program unless agencies use existing budgets or Congress later provides funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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