Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani has reintroduced a piece of bipartisan, bicameral legislation aimed at expediting screenings at ports of entry in the United States. The proposed law, known as the Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade (BEST) Facilitation Act (H.R. 1294), seeks to enhance border security by establishing new positions within Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The bill would create an "image technician" role tasked with accelerating cargo scans to determine if further inspection is necessary. A "supervisory image technician" position would also be established to handle more complex assessments. These measures aim to reduce wait times for legal commerce while enhancing CBP officers' ability to prevent illegal substances and weapons from entering the country.

Highlighting the urgency of this initiative, Arizona's 6th Congressional district recently witnessed a significant drug seizure at the Port of Naco where CBP officers confiscated 159 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $167,000 on the street.

"In Pima County, fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for people between 18 and 45 years old," said Congressman Ciscomani. "We must remain committed to securing the border and stopping the flow of this deadly poison and other contraband into our communities."

Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) supports this effort alongside Senator James Lankford (R-OK), who is leading a companion bill in the Senate. Davis emphasized that Congress must prioritize strategic deployment of frontline personnel: “To effectively combat the flood of fentanyl threatening our communities and endangering our children.”

Senator Lankford added that increasing personnel at ports will provide additional security against traffickers: “Border law enforcement has repeatedly asked for more support to analyze cargo images in real time.”

The legislation garners backing from several organizations including US Travel, the Border Trade Alliance, and others. Josh Rubin from Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority stated: “The BEST Act is a recognition that through technology we can make our nation safer.”

Jaime Chamberlain from Chamberlain Distributing, Inc., noted that sophisticated supply chains necessitate equipping CBP with specialized resources: “This ensures efficient use of resources, enhances security and ensures that trade continues to move at the speed of business.”

Further details on H.R. 1294 are available in its full text.