Rep. Tony Gonzales has introduced the Homeland Threat Response Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, aiming to clarify and expand CBP authority to assist state and local law enforcement in violent-crime investigations and at major events. The bill highlights elite Border Patrol units BORTAC and BORSTAR and seeks to extend legal protections when agents operate outside immigration roles. Gonzales framed the measure as a way to remove legal uncertainty so federal officers can focus on their missions.
Gonzales Introduces Bill To Shield Border Patrol When Assisting Local Law Enforcement
Gonzales introduces bill to expand protections for Border Patrol assisting state, local law enforcement
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) has introduced the Homeland Threat Response Act, a proposal to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand legal protections and explicitly authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to assist state and local law enforcement in certain violent-crime investigations and at major public events.
What the Bill Would Do
The bill would clarify CBP authority to deploy personnel for investigations of violent incidents — including shootings and mass-casualty events — and to provide support during large-scale events where additional federal assistance may be requested. Gonzales said the change would ensure CBP officers have the statutory protections afforded to other law enforcement when operating outside immigration-enforcement duties.
Units Highlighted
Gonzales specifically cited two elite units within the Border Patrol's Special Operations Group (SOG): BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) and BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue). He said these teams are frequently called on to assist local authorities in nonimmigration matters and that their service carries risks that should be matched by clear legal protections.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) speaks alongside U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) at a news conference on border security outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on Nov.14, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Getty Images)
"They're doing so at a risk," Gonzales told Fox News Digital. "They're called upon and asked to operate in other spaces that aren't necessarily their primary duty. This creates a level playing field when it comes to protection."
Why Now?
Gonzales noted the bill's timing ahead of several high-profile events where CBP assistance could be requested, citing the upcoming Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, U.S. host matches for the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as potential scenarios for federal support.
He framed the measure amid broader political debates over funding and the mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), criticizing some calls to reduce DHS resources and arguing the bill would let federal officers focus on their missions without legal uncertainty.
Border Patrol SOG teams have supported or participated in responses to major domestic incidents in the past, including mass shootings and operations that led to the capture of criminal noncitizens and escapees from custody.
Fox News Digital contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment.
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