The U.S. Border Patrol in the Big Bend Sector has enhanced its border security operations with the deployment of two additional Autonomous Surveillance Towers (ASTs). These installations, completed earlier this month, expand the sector's monitoring capabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Equipped with advanced long-range sensors and night thermal technology, these solar-powered towers provide real-time surveillance. Acting Chief Patrol Agent Marco Cervantes stated, "ASTs give us complete domain awareness in remote locations, allowing us to monitor certain areas more effectively. This technology enables us to secure the border more safely and efficiently."
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, ASTs have detected 1,686 instances of border activity in the Big Bend Sector. The use of ASTs has contributed to a 58.4 percent decrease in migrant encounters compared to Fiscal Year 2023 by disrupting criminal smuggling operations.
The towers are designed for remote operation and draw on solar energy for continuous coverage. They can differentiate between human and vehicle traffic and relay real-time video feeds to agents in the field. Integrated with artificial intelligence, they reduce false alarms by distinguishing between human activity and non-relevant objects such as animals.
Since their introduction in April 2021, ASTs have detected 18,339 instances of border activity in the Big Bend Sector, resulting in 12,192 apprehensions. Each site is selected based on data from local stations to ensure key high-traffic areas are covered without overlap or gaps.
The expansion of the AST program reflects U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for enhanced safety and security along the border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is America's largest law enforcement organization dedicated to protecting national security through innovation and collaboration.
