Press Releases

In a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Rep. Monica De La Cruz and local South Texas elected leaders urged the secretary to deploy Tactical Aerostat Systems (TAS) along the border with Mexico.

In her letter, De La Cruz states, “TAS are necessary for our border patrol agents to secure the border. They provide agents with real-time intelligence, enhance their ability to prosecute by recording seizures and arrest events, and provide high-definition imagery.”

De La Cruz notes that the Biden Administration plans a reduction in TAS along the border despite an increase in the number of illegal crossings.

“Our request is for the Department of Defense (DOD) to continue support of the 17-meter aerostats, and to loan or transfer through the DOD re-use program 22-systems to eventually replace the 17-meter systems.”

In FY2022, the Rio Grande Sector of the Border Patrol accounted for 43% of all marijuana seizures and 21% of all apprehensions along the southern border. Aerostats in the Rio Grande City station are credited for 14.25% of marijuana seizures, 11.01% of cocaine seizures, 9.72% of apprehensions, and 12.78% of turnbacks.

“Simply put, the elimination of tactical aerostat systems at the border would crumble operational effectiveness, put the safety of our border agents at risk, and threaten the wellbeing of the public in one of the highest traffic areas of illegal immigrants in the country,” the letter states. “... We ask that you [Secretary Austin] urge President Biden to reconsider his decision to reduce the number of TAS systems currently in operation at our Southern border and to adequately fund them.”

Co-signers of the letter include Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold S. Zwicke, Alice Mayor Cynthia Carrasco, Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra, Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza, Alamo Mayor Diana Martinez, Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Floresville Mayor Cecelia Gonzalez-Dippel, Palmhurst Mayor Fred del Barrio, Palmview Mayor Rick Villarreal, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, Premont Mayor Priscilla Vargas, Jim Wells County Judge Pete Trevino Jr., Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza, and Wilson County Judge Henry L. Whitman Jr.