New Bill Aims to Strengthen Protections for Border Patrol Tactical Teams

A bill introduced by Representative Tony Gonzalez from Texas is looking to enhance protections for the Border Patrol’s elite tactical unit. This group is primarily called upon to secure public events and aid law enforcement during mass shootings and other serious terrorist threats. The timing of Gonzalez’s proposed Homeland Threat Response Act is significant, as it coincides with the deployment of numerous Homeland Security employees ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl.

The legislation seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the law that established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to the September 11 attacks. Currently, this law empowers U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Secret Service to mobilize their personnel and resources during major crisis situations, such as mass shootings across the U.S.

The proposed bill would incorporate existing language related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, simplifying the legal environment for Border Patrol tactical units like BORTAC and BORSTAR. These teams routinely cooperate with state and local law enforcement to tackle significant threats and respond to violent incidents, including mass shootings and terrorist acts.

In a conversation with Breitbart Texas, Gonzalez highlighted the strategic importance of these teams, noting that the BORTAC and BORSTAR units operate out of his district. He believes they shouldn’t have to deal with unnecessary risks or face bureaucratic hurdles while safeguarding Americans. “Even though BORTAC and BORSTAR don’t have a clear legal status in current response protocols, their specialized capabilities are often crucial across the nation,” he stated.

The BORTAC and BORSTAR teams are part of the Special Operations Group within the Border Patrol. BORTAC agents undergo rigorous tactical training, while members of the BORSTAR team are certified emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

Gonzalez pointed out that when these teams respond to mass shootings or provide security for large public gatherings, like the Super Bowl, they need to concentrate on their tasks. “These agents shouldn’t be bogged down by administrative red tape after completing their mission, and this bill aims to eliminate that issue,” he added.

Many law enforcement bodies train SWAT teams, including the Border Patrol’s Special Operations Groups, to use their unique human tracking skills for pursuing suspects. BORTAC members are also trained for high-risk operations, such as counterterrorism efforts and hostage rescues, and they have a history of being deployed nationally and internationally.

For instance, the BORTAC team was instrumental in capturing a former police chief known as the “Devil of the Ozarks” in June 2025, who had escaped from an Arkansas prison following a lengthy manhunt. They were also involved in the 2022 intervention at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, responding to a school shooting that tragically left 19 students and two teachers dead, culminating in a confrontation with the gunman.

The team has been active in various urgent situations, including tracking down Michael Burnham, who fled in Pennsylvania after committing several murders, and capturing Danilo Cavalcante, an undocumented individual who escaped prison after his murder conviction.

Other notable incidents involving mass shooting responses include the incident at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas in August 2019 and the tragic shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where Robert Card claimed 18 lives.