A congressional representative just proposed killing America’s border tower program
Delia Ramirez, a Democratic US representative from Illinois, has announced a plan to introduce new legislation to terminate the surveillance tower program along the US southern border. The announcement comes just days after publication of an MIT Technology Review investigation, “Dying on Camera,” in which we looked at deaths along the border that took place….
Democratic U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez from Illinois has announced plans to introduce a new bill called the Reimagining Safety Act. This legislation aims to terminate the border tower program, a billion-dollar surveillance system along the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposal follows an investigation by MIT Technology Review that found nearly 1,050 deaths occurred within the advertised range of these surveillance towers between 2015 and early 2026. Ramirez, who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the program, stating that the towers have not been effective despite their high cost. The bill is still in development and will be released in the coming weeks.
MIT Technology Review published an investigation titled "Dying on Camera", which analyzed deaths near the border towers. The investigation revealed that nearly one in four deaths between 2015 and early 2026 occurred within the range of these towers. The report also highlighted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not track these deaths or measure the towers’ effectiveness. The investigation raised concerns about the program’s lack of accountability and transparency. The findings were cited by Ramirez as justification for terminating the program.
The border tower program has cost the U.S. government approximately $1 billion. Despite this significant investment, the program has not demonstrated success in preventing deaths or improving border security. The towers are part of a broader surveillance system designed to monitor the southern border, but their effectiveness has been questioned. The investigation found that the towers did not prevent nearly 1,050 deaths over an 11-year period. Ramirez argued that the program’s failure to deliver results justifies its termination.
The Reimagining Safety Act is part of a larger proposal to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and replace it with a new Department of Community Safety. This new department would absorb functions from agencies like CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), TSA (Transportation Security Administration), and customs services. The goal is to shift these responsibilities to existing federal agencies. The legislation was developed in collaboration with advocacy groups such as Just Futures Law and Mijente, which focus on immigrant rights and racial justice.
The proposal to abolish the border towers and dismantle DHS aligns with growing public support for reforming immigration enforcement agencies. This sentiment has intensified following high-profile incidents, such as the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a delivery driver shot in the back by an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent in Austin, Texas, in September 2026. The second Trump administration has faced criticism for its aggressive immigration policies, including visible enforcement operations and expanded detention facilities. While some Democrats support reforming ICE, Ramirez advocates for its complete dismantling as part of broader systemic change.
The *Reimagining Safety Act* and the proposal to dismantle DHS face significant obstacles in Congress. Previous attempts to abolish DHS have not gained traction, and even some Democrats favor reforming rather than eliminating the agency. Ramirez’s position as the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee’s cybersecurity subcommittee may provide some influence, but the bill’s passage remains uncertain. The legislation will require broad bipartisan support to succeed, which is unlikely given the current political climate.
