Acting CBP Commissioner cites sharp declines in illegal crossings, tariff revenue and barrier construction as top priorities

Acting Commissioner Flores told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seen a ‘‘dramatic and historic decline in illegal crossings’’ and is prioritizing barrier construction, technology and workforce investments for fiscal 2026.

The agency’s top-line mission, Flores said, is ‘‘protect the American people by securing our borders from threats, enforcing our immigration and trade laws, and facilitating lawful trade and travel.’’ He told the panel CBP has implemented presidential tariff actions and updated systems to enforce them.

Flores said CBP ‘‘has successfully implemented 21 tariff related presidential actions, collecting more than $37.9 billion in tariff related revenue’’ as of May 2. He described a rapid reallocation of staff at ports of entry after the termination of a scheduling function, which he said reduced immigration-processing actions at ports of entry by 99% compared with February 2024 levels.

On Southwest border operations, Flores said the Border Patrol reported a steep drop in encounters and that CBP has initiated barrier construction. ‘‘More than 85 miles of new border barriers are already in various stages of planning and construction, including a recent contract award for approximately 7 miles in the Rio Grande Valley sector,’’ he said. He also said CBP is coordinating with the Department of Defense and the Texas National Guard on temporary barriers.

Flores described changes in maritime enforcement: ‘‘CBP’s air and marine operations realigned aircraft increased patrols, resulting in a 71% increase in maritime apprehensions in Southern California,’’ and said CBP is intensifying drug interdiction efforts even after recent declines in seizures.

The commissioner framed infrastructure and technology as components of a ‘‘border wall system’’ that includes fiber-optic cabling, sensors, autonomous cameras, roads and access points. He said planning identifies roughly 700 miles of primary border barrier as an operational need, though he said many terrain areas make full coverage impractical.

Flores also credited the deployment of DOD assets and additional surveillance technology with improving situational awareness and enforcement capacity. He told members CBP is prioritizing investments that ‘‘strengthen our enforcement of immigration laws, degrade the threat of transnational criminal organizations and terrorists, and protect the nation’s economic security.’’

Less critical details: Flores said CBP is honoring fallen personnel at a Valor Memorial event and noted ongoing personnel stress and workforce wellness programs. He asked the subcommittee to remain engaged on funding trade and travel facilitation tools and workforce care.

The subcommittee requested written follow-ups and data within 15 business days for several items raised during the hearing.