Bill to require testing of ‘next-generation technology’ to scan commercial vehicles at border ports of entry

Legislation introduced this week seeks to crack down on drug and human trafficking by testing out new non-intrusive inspection technology on trucks traveling through border ports of entry.

On February 24, lawmakers introduced the Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful (CATCH) Fentanyl Act in both the House and Senate.

“The CATCH Fentanyl Act would create a pilot program using next-generation technology at border checkpoints to stop drug trafficking and make commercial trade more efficient. The bill enables the DHS and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology to screen and detect drugs, currency, illegal contraband, as well as smuggled or trafficked individuals into the United State,” said Congressman Clay Higgins, who authored the bill.

The bill would establish a pilot program requiring a “CBP Innovation Team” to test “technological enhancements” for non-intrusive imaging systems at border ports of entry.

The text of the bill suggests the enhancements should include at least one of the following:

1. Artificial intelligence
2. Machine learning
3. High-performance computing
4. Quantum information sciences, including quantum sensing
5. Other emerging technologies

“This common-sense legislation gives CBP expanded use of technology to detect and stop narcotraffickers while streamlining legitimate commercial transit at border ports of entry,” said Congressman Higgins. “We must use our Congressional authority to protect communities across America from this devastating drug. I thank Congressman Magaziner for joining me on this critical legislation, and Senator Cornyn for introducing companion legislation in the Senate.”

The bill is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations.

“The tidal wave of fentanyl surging across our southern border is causing devastation in every corner of our country.  To protect Americans from this scourge, we must sever the pipeline that is carrying this deadly drug to our communities,” said American Trucking Association’s Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer Ed Gilroy.  “The CATCH Fentanyl Act would strike a major blow against fentanyl traffickers by empowering CBP to pioneer and adopt the cutting-edge technology it needs at border crossings to identify illicit substances more effectively while processing vehicles and freight more efficiently.  ATA is committed to addressing the drug crisis at our border, and we commend Representatives Higgins and Magaziner for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation, which will thwart evolving threats and help save countless lives.”