Vasquez Champions Bipartisan Border Security Bills to Bolster CBP Cargo Screening and Law Enforcement Coordination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 7, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) cosponsored H.R.1294, the BEST Facilitation Act, and H.R.285, the Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025 — two bipartisan, commonsense solutions to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) cargo scanning capabilities at points of entry and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies at the southern border. 

“Border security works best when it’s smart, targeted, and focused on real threats,” said Vasquez. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges law enforcement face at the border, and these bipartisan bills help officers do their jobs more effectively by improving coordination, modernizing scanning technology at our ports of entry, and keeping dangerous drugs and contraband out of our communities — without slowing down legal trade and travel.”

The BEST Facilitation Act focuses on improving security and efficiency at ports of entry by creating specialized “image technician” positions at  CBP. By allowing trained technicians to review scans and flag potential threats, the bill would reduce wait times for lawful commerce, better allocate enforcement resources, and enhance CBP’s ability to stop fentanyl, weapons, and other illicit goods from entering the United States. This legislation was introduced with Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).

The Advanced Border Coordination Act would direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish Joint Operations Centers along the southern border, creating centralized hubs for information sharing, operational coordination, and workforce training among federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. These centers are designed to strengthen efforts to disrupt drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activity while improving accountability and collaboration on the ground. This legislation was introduced with Rep. David Joyce (R-OH).

As a representative of 180 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, Vasquez is championing a new way forward on immigration and border security through the New American Immigration Plan, a framework focused on smarter border security, targeted enforcement, and modern technology that actually works in border communities without compromising on American values. 

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