Johnson Introduces Bill to Strengthen Border Enforcement
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) introduced the Border Workforce Improvement Act, which will require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review their current staffing needs and identify where they need additional support from Congress to do their jobs.
“Our immigration system is broken, and one of the reasons is because of staffing shortages at USCIS and other border enforcement agencies,” said Johnson. “When we don’t have enough personnel, cases pile up, and people are left waiting years for answers. Border security isn’t just about resources—it’s about having enough officers to process cases efficiently and fairly. This bill tackles the staffing issues head-on, ensuring we have the workforce needed to uphold our laws and create an immigration system that is fast and final.”
CBP and ICE are handling more work than ever due to rising border encounters, travel, and trade. But despite the increase, staffing levels have stayed the same, forcing officers to rely on overtime to keep up.
By 2028, at least 2,200 CBP personnel will retire, and the agency is already short 5,850 officers. As staffing shortages continue, this legislation highlights the urgent need for more resources—not just in equipment, but also in recruiting and retaining officers, especially at ports of entry.
The legislation has been cosponsored by Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49), Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Congressman Mark Veasey (TX-33). To read the full text of the bill, click here.
Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas’ 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.
###