Jason Hauser, who previously served as chief of staff for ICE, and Troy Miller, former acting director of CBP, are now part of a team working on enhancements for the National Targeting Center established during the Trump administration. This collaboration has raised eyebrows among senior officials, especially considering their roles in shaping Biden-era policies that contributed to significant challenges at the border.
Documents reviewed indicate that both Hauser, who has criticized Trump’s immigration approach as “racist,” and Miller, who supported claims that the Biden administration effectively closed the border to illegal immigration, participated in a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials from the Trump era to discuss the NTC’s updates.
The CBP National Targeting Center is responsible for analyzing traveler data and threat intelligence, aiming to identify high-risk individuals before they board flights to the U.S. However, it remains unclear what stance Hauser and Miller take regarding the House Judiciary Committee’s efforts to enhance testing processes for high-risk travelers. Notably, during the Biden administration, nearly 100 individuals on terror watch lists were mistakenly allowed entry through the southwest border.
The source, who cannot speak publicly, suggested that financial motives might explain Hauser and Miller’s involvement in this high-level technology improvement initiative, as both are affiliated with the Rapid Prototyping Research Center at George Mason University. This center collaborates with major federal contractors to offer technology solutions.
Some within CBP view their inclusion in the national security project as disrespectful, particularly to those who managed the repercussions of open border policies under Biden. A source commented that Hauser has been one of the loudest critics of Trump’s immigration law enforcement efforts, often linking such actions to racial biases.
In a June 2025 interview on MSNBC, Hauser remarked on the immigration issues in Los Angeles, attributing them to “short-sighted and frankly racist policies” from the Trump White House. He further characterized Trump’s immigration enforcement as targeting vulnerable populations.
Hauser also criticized the deportation of Kilmer Abrego García, a member of the MS-13 gang, dismissing it as “political theater.” He faced scrutiny during Congressional hearings when he called current immigration enforcement a dangerous performance, especially after being challenged about an illegal immigrant linked to serious crimes.
Miller’s addition to the expert team is similarly striking. His past role involved facilitating border policies that many viewed as allowing increased illegal immigration, cloaked under terms like “decompression strategy.” In 2021, he expressed shock at the number of illegal entries in Del Rio, Texas, while maintaining that the border was closed to illegal immigrants, which countered accusations of misconduct against CBP agents that arose in the media.
Miller later faced criticism for not defending Border Patrol agents accused of wrongdoing, leading to lingering resentment among CBP personnel who believed they were unjustly treated. His past involvement with policies allowing significant numbers of migrants to enter the U.S. with limited vetting has raised concerns about trust in his capability to contribute to the NTC improvements.
During Miller’s tenure, notably, CBP modified the mobile application used to facilitate a program that permitted the entry of up to 1,400 migrants a day, which later raised questions about the adequacy of vetting procedures. Another program, aimed at specific nationalities, allowed over half a million immigrants to enter through airports before being canceled by the Trump administration.
Amidst their academic roles, Hauser and Miller’s connection to the national security initiatives has not gone unnoticed by current CBP leadership. While they may not be widely recognized beyond CBP’s headquarters, their participation has been acknowledged by senior officials, including CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Randy Clark a former Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations with 32 years in the U.S. Border Patrol, brings a wealth of experience to border issues.
