Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today pressed Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to tap into a fund comprised of money seized by federal agents for port of entry improvements that enhance security and facilitate trade along the border. 

In a letter to Napolitano, Bingaman urged that the Department of Homeland Security use some of the funding it confiscates, such as drug proceeds being smuggled out of the country, to make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry.  Funds seized by the Department of Homeland Security are deposited into the Treasury Department’s Forfeiture Fund. 

“As a result of the recent emphasis on southbound smuggling, we are likely to see a significant increase in the revenue derived from currency seizures along our borders.  While the Treasury Forfeiture Fund is not an appropriate mechanism to finance major infrastructure projects, it could be used to build additional lanes and inspection booths, which would serve the dual purpose of enhancing inspection capabilities and facilitating cross-border traffic,” Bingaman wrote. 

Bingaman commended the Obama administration for committing additional resources to interdict the southbound flow of weapons and bulk currency, but also said that we must take steps to ensure that we do not hurt trade, tourism, and the ability of those living in border communities to cross the border without substantial delays. 

“Unfortunately, since our security posture has been generally focused on incoming threats many of our Nation’s ports of entry were not designed to accommodate increased outbound inspections.  As we implement a more comprehensive security strategy that recognizes the need to disrupt the operations of both inbound and outbound smuggling networks, we also need to look at how inadequate infrastructure hampers our ability to carry out this task,” Bingaman said.

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund does not include assets seized by the Department of Justice, which are included in a separate fund.