Nearly one-third of U.S.-Mexico border surveillance cameras not working, officials say

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An internal memo from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals that nearly one-third of surveillance cameras along the U.S.-Mexico border are inoperable. This issue impacts several CBP agencies and raises concerns about the effectiveness of border security.

Hector Garza, president of the National Border Patrol Council in Laredo, spoke about the situation, noting the concern among agents regarding the surveillance towers. "We've learned that a lot of the cameras along the border are inoperable. There has been a big concern with the contractor and the agency that is responsible for servicing some of these camera towers," Garza said.

The surveillance cameras are crucial for monitoring people and drugs crossing into the U.S. According to reports, approximately 150 out of 500 cameras nationwide are not working. Garza emphasized that the lack of operational cameras puts agents in danger and reduces their ability to respond effectively. "The Laredo sector is one of those areas where we do have inoperable cameras. There is some significant improvement; however, the issue remains," he stated.

While some cameras are being repaired, the timeline for resolving the issue is still uncertain. Congressman Henry Cuellar expressed his concerns about the cameras' maintenance. "They are the latest cameras that we have; we put a lot of money into it. The problem is the maintenance part of it. We can have a good camera, but if you don't have the maintenance, then it doesn't work. And for some reason, Homeland Security decided to put this contract under the FAA," Cuellar explained.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for maintaining the cameras. In a recent memo, the FAA acknowledged internal challenges in meeting the needs of Border Patrol agents.

In a statement to KGNS, a CBP spokesperson mentioned that the cameras require significant maintenance and upgrades as they reach the end of their planned lifecycle. CBP works to resolve the issue by refreshing systems with new camera optics or replacing them entirely.

As the situation unfolds, agents will continue to rely on other available technology to secure the border. The Laredo Border Patrol Union and Congressman Cuellar are scheduled to discuss the camera issues and explore additional support for agents patrolling the border.

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