S. 1184: Cross Border Aerial Law Enforcement Operations Act

This bill, titled the Cross Border Aerial Law Enforcement Operations Act, aims to establish a program for coordinated aerial law enforcement operations between the United States and Canada along their shared border. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the bill:

Establishment of the Program

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to negotiate a bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada to create an integrated cross-border aerial law enforcement program. This program would operate along the U.S.-Canada border, drawing inspiration from previous agreements related to maritime law enforcement.

Program Elements

• Participants: The program would involve law enforcement officers from various U.S. agencies including:
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • The United States Coast Guard
  • Homeland Security Investigations
  • Other federal law enforcement agencies designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Law enforcement agencies from the Government of Canada
• Scope: The operations would generally be limited to areas within 50 miles of the border, with some exceptions for emergencies or operational necessities that might take aircraft beyond this range.
• Civil Rights Protections: The program would need to ensure that the civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy of individuals in the U.S. are respected in accordance with federal laws.

Notification and Reporting Requirements

• The Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress about the bilateral agreement within 30 days of its signing.
• A written description of the program's elements and scope must also be submitted to Congress after the program's implementation.

Training and Communication

• Law enforcement officers involved in the program must undergo training to ensure they understand their responsibilities concerning citizens' privacy and civil rights.
• Agencies participating in the program are authorized to establish necessary communication protocols to ensure the safety and effectiveness of cross-border operations.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Report

Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security must provide a report on the use of unmanned aircraft along the northern border, covering topics such as:

• Coordination among agencies to address unauthorized use of UAS
• Potential jurisdictional challenges
• The misuse of UAS by unauthorized actors
• Assessment of potential joint operations using UAS
• Risks to civil rights and privacy from UAS operations

Funding

The bill specifies that no additional funds will be allocated for the implementation of this program.

Relevant Companies

None found.