Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced a bill Friday to end the U.S. border tower program, halting construction and funding for the high‑tech surveillance network.

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced legislation Friday to terminate the federal border tower program.

The program, launched in the early 2000s, has funded more than 70 high‑tech surveillance towers that monitor the U.S.–Mexico border. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the network costs roughly $1.2 billion annually.

The proposed bill would stop all new construction, require the removal of existing towers that are not deemed essential, and cut appropriations for the program in the next fiscal year.

Ramirez said the towers represent "wasteful spending that fails to improve security and diverts resources from more effective solutions." She added that the equipment is outdated and that communities near the installations have voiced concerns about visual impact and privacy.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the tower program remains a critical component of border security, helping agents detect illegal crossings and drug smuggling.

Republican members of the House Homeland Security Committee have expressed skepticism about the bill, arguing that dismantling the network could create gaps in coverage. The spokesperson denied that the program has been ineffective, citing recent interdictions attributed to tower surveillance.

The measure now heads to the House Homeland Security Committee for a markup session next week. If approved, the legislation would move to the full House for a vote before the end of the calendar year.

Stakeholders say the outcome could reshape the federal budget for border enforcement and influence future technology investments in immigration control.