07.15.24

Hoeven, Sinema Introduce Legislation to Support Shadow Wolves Agents & Strengthen Border Security

WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Shadow Wolves Improvement Act – legislation to provide additional career mobility opportunities to Shadow Wolves law enforcement officers and expand the program to the northern border. Shadow Wolves are a tactical patrol unit within the Department of Homeland Security comprised of members from various Native American tribes. The unit patrols the 76-mile stretch of land that the Tohono O’odham Nation shares with Mexico and are known for their ability to track drug traffickers.

In 2022, Hoeven and Sinema introduced and successfully passed into law legislation classifying the Shadow Wolves unit as special agents, allowing them to better patrol, investigate, interdict and secure the southern border, while requiring a plan to expand the program to other parts of the United States, including the northern border. The bill introduced last week builds on these efforts by:

  • Addressing an issue wherein Shadow Wolves lack the same career opportunities as other special agents because of how they were originally hired.
    • The bill would give U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) the authority to convert Shadow Wolves from the excepted to the competitive service following three years of satisfactory service.
    • This would afford them career mobility and compensation parity with other ICE Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) special agents.
  • Strengthening Shadow Wolves recruitment and retainment efforts to improve border security.
  • Codifying the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendations to improve and expand the Shadow Wolves program.

          “Border security is national security, and strengthening the Shadow Wolves program is one of the many ways we are working to deploy the personnel, infrastructure and technology needed to ensure we can restore and maintain operational control of the border,” said Senator Hoeven. “Shadow Wolves agents do a tremendous job protecting against drug trafficking in Indian County. As we work to expand this program, including up to the northern border, it is critical we can recruit, train and retain qualified individuals in this initiative. That’s exactly what this legislation will help accomplish.”

“Tohono O’odham Nation’s Shadow Wolves are critical partners combating drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activity on our border. Our bill ensures career mobility and fair compensation for Shadow Wolves Agents so they can continue keeping the Tohono O’odham Nation and Arizona safe and secure,” said Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Border Management Subcommittee. 

“Public safety, particularly drug and human trafficking, continue to be a priority for Indian Country. These issues are uniquely difficult for tribal communities, like the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, who are located along the U.S. border,” said Jamie Azure, chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. “The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is an additional tool within the law enforcement toolbox that will help. The Tribe appreciate Senators Sinema and Hoeven introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage in the Senate.”   

   

U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) are original cosponsors of the legislation in the Senate. A companion to the bill is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.). 

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