Sec. 1141. Additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers

516 words·~2 min read·/bill/115/s/2192/pcs/section-1141

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Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall hire, train, and assign sufficient agents to maintain an active duty presence of not fewer than 26,370 full-time equivalent agents. In addition to positions authorized before the date of the enactment of this Act and any existing officer vacancies within U.S. Customs and Border Protection as of such date, the Commissioner shall hire, train, and assign to duty, not later than September 30, 2021— sufficient U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officers to maintain an active duty presence of not fewer than 27,725 full-time equivalent officers; and 350 full-time support staff distributed among all United States ports of entry. Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall hire, train, and assign sufficient agents for Air and Marine Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to maintain not fewer than 1,675 full-time equivalent agents and not fewer than 264 Marine and Air Interdiction Agents for southern border air and maritime operations.

Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner shall deploy not fewer than 300 new K–9 units, with supporting officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other required staff, at land ports of entry and checkpoints, on the southern border and the northern border. The Commissioner shall prioritize the use of canines at the primary inspection lanes at land ports of entry and checkpoints. Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner shall increase the number of horseback units, with supporting officers of U.S.

Customs and Border Protection and other required staff, by not fewer than 100 officers and 50 horses for security patrol along the Southern border. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall construct new stables, maintain and improve existing stables, and provide other resources needed to maintain the health and well-being of the horses that serve in the horseback units. Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner shall increase by not fewer than 50 the number of officers engaged in search and rescue activities along the southern border.

Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner shall increase by not fewer than 50 the number of officers assisting task forces and activities related to deployment and operation of border tunnel detection technology and apprehensions of individuals using such tunnels for crossing into the United States, drug trafficking, or human smuggling. Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall hire, train, and assign to duty, in addition to the officers and agents authorized under subsections

(a)through (g), 631 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists to ports of entry along the southern border and the northern border. Not later than September 30, 2021, the Commissioner shall hire, train, and assign sufficient Office of Professional Responsibility special agents to maintain an active duty presence of not fewer than 550 full-time equivalent special agents. If the staffing levels required under this section are not achieved by September 30, 2021, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the reasons why such levels were not achieved.