Texas Rep Seeks Stronger Legal Protections for Border Patrol Tactical Teams

New bill aims to enhance security at public events and assist with law enforcement responses to mass shootings and terror incidents.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) has proposed the Homeland Threat Response Act, which would add stronger legal protections for elite Border Patrol tactical teams like BORTAC and BORSTAR. These teams are frequently deployed to assist state and local law enforcement with security at major events like the Super Bowl and in responding to mass shootings and other critical incidents. The bill aims to ensure these specialized agents can focus on their mission without getting caught up in administrative issues afterwards.

Why it matters

Border Patrol's tactical teams possess unique skills like human tracking that make them highly sought after to assist other law enforcement agencies, especially in responding to active threats and mass casualty events. This bill seeks to provide clearer legal authority for their deployment and operations to enhance public safety.

The details

The Homeland Threat Response Act would add Border Patrol tactical teams like BORTAC and BORSTAR to the existing language in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 that authorizes ICE and the Secret Service to deploy personnel during critical incidents. This would eliminate any bureaucratic or legal obstacles for these specialized Border Patrol teams when assisting state and local law enforcement. Congressman Gonzales says the teams need to be able to focus on their mission without getting bogged down in "administrative nonsense" afterwards.

  • Hundreds of DHS personnel are deploying in advance of Sunday's Super Bowl.
  • In June 2025, the BORTAC team played a key role in capturing an escaped convict known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks'.
  • In 2022, a BORTAC-led team entered Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas to neutralize the school shooter.

The players

Congressman Tony Gonzales

The U.S. Representative for Texas's 23rd congressional district who has proposed the Homeland Threat Response Act.

BORTAC

The Border Patrol Tactical Team, part of the Border Patrol's Special Operations Group, that is highly trained in tactical responses and frequently deployed to assist other law enforcement agencies.

BORSTAR

The Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Team, part of the Border Patrol's Special Operations Group, whose members are certified as emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

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What they’re saying

“Although BORTAC and BORSTAR are not specifically named in the current law that provides authority for the responses, the team is frequently requested to assist across the United States due to their specialized skills.”

— Congressman Tony Gonzales (Breitbart Texas)

“These agents don't need to be caught up in administrative nonsense after they complete their mission; this bill makes sure that doesn't happen.”

— Congressman Tony Gonzales (Breitbart Texas)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This bill aims to provide clearer legal authority for Border Patrol's elite tactical teams to assist other law enforcement agencies in responding to critical incidents and mass casualty events, ensuring they can focus on their specialized mission without getting bogged down in bureaucratic issues afterwards.