Hoeven Hosts CBP Commissioner Scott to Leverage ND’s UAS Leadership, Partner with Local Law Enforcement to Secure the Border

EMERADO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today hosted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott in North Dakota to review border operations throughout the Grand Forks sector, and discuss opportunities to better leverage the region’s dynamic unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry. Hoeven highlighted the one-of-a-kind UAS ecosystem in North Dakota that connects private sector partners with military and government to develop drone technologies and capabilities, including counter-drone research and development. Hoeven outlined funding secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill to better secure the border, including provisions to:
“With 861 miles of northern border and the one-of-a-kind UAS ecosystem we’ve built in North Dakota, we wanted Commissioner Scott to see firsthand the unique capabilities we are developing with our private, military and government partners that could be leveraged to assist law enforcement and help secure the border,” said Hoeven. “We connected Commissioner Scott with local law enforcement officials, leaders from our UAS test site and UND to build yet another partnership that will help our state lead the way.”
Hoeven and Scott also met with northern border community and business leaders to outline challenges facing border communities, including the impact of port of entry operating hours on local economies. Hoeven has been working to restore the ports to pre-pandemic operating hours. Following closures during the pandemic, Hoeven secured expanded hours, and continues working to restore port of entry hours.

-###-