- September 17, 2021
Sen. Marshall Demands Answers on Biden Administration’s Drone Restrictions over Southern Border
(Washington, D.C., September 17, 2021) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding answers about the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to implement a two-week Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the international bridge in Del Rio, Texas. The letter says in part,
“As you well know, the border crisis triggered by your policy decisions has spiraled out control. Last month there were more than 208,887 apprehensions at the southern border, the second month in a row over the 200,000 mark. We are currently around 1.5 million for the fiscal year – a historic and unacceptable total…On Thursday, supposedly at the request of an agency under your overall control, the FAA implemented a two-week TFR over the international bridge where thousands of migrants are huddling… I cannot stress how deeply disturbed I am by the possibility that you requested the FAA to close the airspace due to political reasons or fear of bad optics. The American people deserve to see what is happening at the southern border – an unprecedented, humanitarian disaster.”
September 17, 2021
The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Lane, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Secretary Mayorkas:
I write with deep concerns about last night’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decision to implement a two-week Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the international bridge in Del Rio, Texas.
As you well know, the border crisis triggered by your policy decisions has spiraled out control. Last month there were more than 208,887 apprehensions at the southern border, the second month in a row over the 200,000 mark. We are currently around 1.5 million for the fiscal year – a historic and unacceptable total.
While media coverage of the crisis has dropped significantly, there is no end in sight. Thousands of migrants continue to illegally pour over the U.S.-Mexico border into Del Rio. It is estimated that there are now at least 10,500 migrants underneath the international bridge, with more coming by the hour.
On Thursday, supposedly at the request of an agency under your overall control, the FAA implemented a two-week TFR over the international bridge where thousands of migrants are huddling. This resulted in a media outlet that was actually covering this new surge having to ground a drone that was providing stark imagery to the public.
I cannot stress how deeply disturbed I am by the possibility that you requested the FAA to close the airspace due to political reasons or fear of bad optics. The American people deserve to see what is happening at the southern border – an unprecedented, humanitarian disaster.
Therefore, I ask that you respond to the following in a timely manner:
1. Why did the Border Patrol ask the FAA to implement a TFR over this area of Texas?
2. Has the Border Patrol previously requested the FAA to implement a TFR at the U.S.-Mexico border? If so, provide details of every instance.
3. Did DHS leadership approve of or demand the Border Patrol make a request to restrict the airspace?
4. Did DHS leadership or the Border Patrol have any direct contact with the White House? If so, did White House officials order or pressure the decision?
5. The news outlet that triggered the TFR has been covering the border crisis nonstop for almost 7 months, using a drone constantly, and it has never been an issue. Why is the Border Patrol suddenly hindering their ability to cover it?
6. Has DHS considered that urging FAA to prohibit media drones from flying over the southern border to document a crisis could be a violation of the First Amendment?
I appreciate your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Roger Marshall, M.D.
United States Senator
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