WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to further expand the operations and duties of the Northern Border Coordination Center has passed the Senate. The center, to be collocated with existing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, will help improve coordination across DHS and with state, local, and Tribal governments, and other key stakeholders, to ensure DHS and its operational components are able to fulfill their security mission at the Northern Border. In March, Peters secured $3 million to establish and operate the Northern Border Coordination Center at Selfridge, as part of government funding legislation. In a hearing in April, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed to Peters that steps are currently underway to make the center operational. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“The Northern Border Coordination Center will ensure that the Department of Homeland Security remains focused on the unique security needs of our nation’s Northern Border in addition to their other critical national security missions,” said Senator Peters.“Along with the funding I secured to launch the center earlier this year, this legislation will further cement the center’s role in coordinating border security efforts, supporting personnel training and conducting testing for new border security technologies. Most importantly, the center builds on the vital role that Selfridge Air National Guard Base plays in protecting our nation and will help support the base’s success in the future.”
“The Northern Border Coordination Center established by this bipartisan bill will support border operations and enhance domain awareness with the shared goal of keeping Maine safe and secure,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation is a valuable step forward in assessing and prioritizing the efforts on the ground at our Northern Border.”
“We are extremely thrilled that funding has been committed for this modern homeland security asset. The Northern Border Coordination Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base will be an epicenter where our service women and men, civilian personnel and public safety professionals will continue to protect our borders and our freedoms for years to come,” said Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive.
“This is great news. A Northern Border Coordination Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base would help meet the need for additional attention to boost national security at our northern border, and it would be an excellent addition to the various components at Selfridge. We applaud Senator Peters for his advocacy and diligence on the importance of the northern border in our nation’s defense. Our community looks forward to continuing to work with him on this effort,” said Candice S. Miller, the Macomb County Public Works commissioner and former member of Congress who is an honorary commander at Selfridge and member of the Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders Program.
The Northern Border Coordination Act will require DHS to establish the Northern Border Coordination Center, to be collocated with an existing U.S. Border Patrol sector headquarters, the U.S. Border Patrol Northern Border Coordination Center, an Air and Marine Operations Branch, and a U.S. Coast Guard air station, and other existing DHS activities. The center will serve as a coordination mechanism for implementing, evaluating, and updating the Northern Border Strategy, and any successor strategy. It also requires the center to serve as a training location, act as a testing ground for border security technology, and support counter-unmanned aircraft systems along the Northern Border.
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