McAleenan Asks Congress for Additional ACE Funding for 'Post-Core'

CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, testifying in front of the Appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security, said there's ongoing demand for additional and enhanced ACE capabilities. CBP could use an additional $5.5 million next fiscal year to develop and implement post-core functionality, he said. McAleenan, who testified April 12, said a high volume of low-value shipments, particularly through e-commerce "presents enforcement and trade facilitation challenges." McAleenan spent more time talking about immigration enforcement duties of the agency, but also said they are requesting $44.2 million for non-intrusive inspection technology, which is used both for radiation monitoring and to x-ray express packages and mail. He noted that in the last fiscal year, CBP made 118 seizures of fentanyl sent by express consignment carriers and 227 seizures in international mail -- together, the seizures interdicted almost 350 pounds of the powerful synthetic opioid. CBP also is requesting $14.8 million to modernize land ports of entry, as well as funding for 26 positions to implement the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which he called "one of the most impactful pieces of trade legislation for CBP in more than a generation."