Letter to Rand Beers, Acting Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Border Strategy Deadline

Letter

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber wants the Border Patrol to explain how close it is to developing specific metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of its border security efforts.

In a letter to Rand Beers, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Barber today asked for an update on the Border Patrol's projection that it would have border security metrics finalized by Nov. 30 -- two weeks from tomorrow.

"The Border Patrol cannot effectively do its job if it cannot measure success or evaluate how resources are deployed," Barber explained today. "There are areas of my district where residents know more resources are needed -- but without metrics, the Border Patrol cannot make the best decisions on where and how to use its assets."

Barber is ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency. He also is one of only nine House members representing a district on the U.S.-Mexico border.

In his letter to Beers, Barber wrote: "It is my responsibility to ensure that the federal government is a good steward of taxpayer dollars and that DHS programs operate efficiently and effectively. … The development and implementation of an effective strategy and metrics at the border are especially important to the safety of residents in my district, which spans 83 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and has one of the highest rates of drug seizures in the country. "

In January, Barber noted a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office that examined Border Patrol strategies and resources. As part of the study, GAO interviewed ranchers in Barber's Southern Arizona district and across the Tucson sector of the Border Patrol.

In evaluating how the Border Patrol deploys its agents and other resources, the GAO determined that the Border Patrol lacks measures for assessing risk and need and does not have in place goals or a timeline to improve security along the Southwestern border.

The Border Patrol responded by saying said it planned to have metrics in place by Nov. 30.

Barber took action on this report by cosponsoring The Border Security Results Act, which requires the secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for gaining "operational control" of the international border and specific metrics for defining border security that are informed by those who live and work along the border.

The bill defined "operational control" as a condition in high traffic areas in which there is a 90 percent effectiveness rate -- calculated by dividing the number of people apprehended by the total of number apprehended, turned back, and number of people who get away. Operational control also means a significant reduction in the movement of illicit drugs.

Barber strengthened that legislation by requiring public meetings as one way of receiving input from border residents and other community members who experience the realities of life on the border every day.

Barber also joined his colleague in offering a bipartisan amendment to require consistent and standardized data collection across the border.

"I believe developing specific border security metrics is essential," Barber wrote in today's letter. "Metrics will provide DHS with a detailed and thorough assessment of current border security strategy. Additionally, metrics will enable DHS management to make more informed decisions as to the allocation of personnel, technology, and other resources for current and future border security operations."

Barber's letter us below and attached as a pdf.

Barbermedricsletter.pdf

Nov. 14, 2013

The Honorable Rand Beers
Acting Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nebraska Avenue Center, NW
Washington, D.C. 20527

Dear Secretary Beers:

At my request and that of my colleagues, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted an assessment of the data collected and used by the U.S. Border Patrol to inform its border security efforts. The December 2012 GAO report concluded that while the U.S. Border Patrol has developed some elements needed to define border security, Border Patrol has no timeframe for developing and implementing specific metrics for measuring our nation's border security.

The GAO recommended that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop specific metrics for assessing progress made toward securing the border at and between ports of entry. In Appendix X of that same report, DHS concurred with this recommendation and said it planned to finalize metrics by November 30, 2013.

As Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, it is my responsibility to ensure that the federal government is a good steward of taxpayer dollars and that DHS programs operate efficiently and effectively. This is critical for the safety and security of all Americans. The development and implementation of an effective strategy and metrics at the border are especially important to the safety of residents in my district, which spans 83 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and has one of the highest rates of drug seizures in the country.

As a cosponsor of the Border Security Results Act, a bill that requires DHS to develop a plan based on metrics and local stakeholder input, I believe developing specific border security metrics is essential. Metrics will provide DHS with a detailed and thorough assessment of current border security strategy. Additionally, metrics will enable DHS management to make more informed decisions as to the allocation of personnel, technology, and other resources for current and future border security operations. Further, metrics that are consistent across sectors will enable Border Patrol to compare border security strategies across the entire country and make adjustments as necessary.

At this time, I request an update on your department's efforts to develop and implement specific metrics for assessing progress made toward securing the border at and between ports of entry and whether or not the department will meet its November 30, 2013 deadline.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Ron Barber
Member of Congress

Source