Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening northern border security just one day after state representatives and local sheriffs called for increased information sharing between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

In a virtual press conference, Gillibrand introduced the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act.

The legislation would require a Northern Border Threat Analysis to be completed every three years, an analysis that includes an assessment of recent changes in the number and demographics of apprehensions at the northern border, along with a requirement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Northern Border Strategy be updated within 90 days of the completion of the threat analysis, and have DHS brief Congress within 30 days.

The legislation comes after a significant increase in the number of unauthorized crossings in the Swanton Sector over the last two years,  putting a significant strain on local, state and federal resources across the North County.

“Customs and Border Protection agents along our northern border are struggling to address a dramatic increase in the number of unauthorized border crossings,” said Senator Gillibrand.

“This bill is a commonsense, bipartisan measure to give federal law enforcement and congressional leaders more data and strategic direction to address the situation. I look forward to getting it passed.”

Migrant encounters have risen sharply over the previous year, now reaching over 18,000 apprehensions since October 2023, according to State Senator Dan Stec.

There were more than 190,000 encounters in 2023, with apprehensions of migrants crossing illegally from Canada jumping by 241% from 2022 to 2023, according to Gillibrand.

Senator Gillibrand introduced this bill along with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). It unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today, Sept. 25.