Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

This legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to create a plan within 180 days to find, test, and use new technology to support border security. Examples include tools that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, fiber‑optic sensing, radar, LIDAR, and other sensors and imaging systems. The plan must spell out goals and timelines, how success will be measured, how to buy and scale up useful tools, which older systems could be replaced, and how these technologies could affect privacy and safety in border communities. It also requires close work with DHS’s Science and Technology office and more collaboration with private companies (including small and disadvantaged businesses), universities, and federal labs to spot and adapt promising tech.

CBP is allowed to run Innovation Teams that try out off‑the‑shelf tech and figure out what works, including any downsides, and must report to Congress each year on what they tested and what moved into regular use.

• Who is affected: DHS and CBP; people in border communities; tech companies (including small and disadvantaged businesses); universities and federal labs; other federal agencies that have useful technology.
• What changes: A detailed technology plan; testing and potential rollout of advanced tools; possible replacement of older systems; clear metrics for success; yearly reports on progress.
• When: The plan is due within 180 days of enactment; annual reports follow after that.