WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  As the immigration debate continues in Congress, Congressman Mike Rogers said today he will continue to monitor closely a new border surveillance system activated this week along a 28-mile section of the border between Arizona and Mexico.
 

Strengthening this system of high-tech cameras and infrared sensors, now known as the Secure Border Initiative (SBInet), has been among Rogers’ border security priorities. Last Congress, as Chairman of the Management, Integration, and Oversight Subcommittee, Rogers was highly critical of the previous border surveillance system, known as the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System, for its cost overruns, mismanagement and ineffectiveness.

“Most folks across East Alabama want our borders secured to help solve our illegal immigration crisis,” Rogers said. “I hope this new border surveillance system will live up to its promises, and the Department of Homeland Security will do a better job this time ensuring the taxpayer is getting their money’s worth out of its investment.”

Rogers said the system will monitor a region known for frequent illegal border crossings.  He said the Border Patrol, which manages the cameras, should see relatively soon how effective the technology will be in helping secure our borders.

The overall SBInet contract is estimated to cost at least $8 billion and take over 6 years to implement on both U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada, he said.

In the 109th Congress, the Homeland Security Department awarded the SBInet contract to a consortium of private vendors.  The first section activated this week includes mobile towers with cameras, sensors and surveillance equipment that should beam real-time information to law enforcement and Border Patrol Agents.

Rogers is Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Oversight subcommittee.
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