Texas Congressman Gonzales Introduces the Homeland Threat Response Act Ahead of Super Bowl

(NationalFreedomPress.com) – Elite Border Patrol tactical units that have responded to deadly mass shootings across America currently lack the legal authority to act without facing bureaucratic investigations afterward—a dangerous gap that threatens both officer safety and public protection.

Story Snapshot

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales introduces legislation granting Border Patrol’s elite BORTAC and BORSTAR units clear legal authority to assist during mass shootings and terror attacks
Current federal law authorizes ICE and Secret Service for domestic crisis response but excludes Border Patrol special operations personnel, creating liability exposure for officers who respond in good faith
Border Patrol tactical teams have already responded to major incidents including Uvalde, El Paso, and Lewiston mass shootings, only to face post-operation questioning about their legal authority
The Homeland Threat Response Act (H.R. 7098) would provide liability protections and operational clarity for specialized federal law enforcement responding to violent emergencies

Closing a Dangerous Legal Gap in Crisis Response

Congressman Tony Gonzales introduced the Homeland Threat Response Act on February 15, 2026, addressing a bureaucratic absurdity that leaves America’s elite Border Patrol tactical units legally vulnerable when responding to mass casualty events. The legislation targets 6 U.S. Code § 455, which currently grants ICE and Secret Service personnel authority to assist state and local law enforcement during violent incidents while inexplicably excluding Border Patrol’s Special Operations Group. This legal oversight has created a situation where highly trained federal officers face potential liability investigations after saving lives during terrorist attacks and active shooter situations.

Elite Units Caught in Bureaucratic Limbo

BORTAC and BORSTAR represent the Border Patrol’s most specialized response capabilities, trained in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, tactical tracking, and disaster response. These elite divisions have repeatedly deployed to assist during America’s worst domestic crises, yet they operate without the same legal protections afforded to other federal agencies. The absence of statutory authority has forced personnel to face questioning after operations, creating hesitation precisely when decisive action saves lives. This disparity represents government overreach in reverse—bureaucratic red tape preventing law enforcement from protecting American communities without fear of legal repercussions for doing their jobs.

Track Record of Response Without Recognition

Border Patrol special operations personnel have responded to numerous high-profile incidents demonstrating their operational necessity. In August 2019, SOG members deployed to the El Paso Walmart mass shooting. In May 2022, they responded to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Additional deployments included the May 2023 Cleveland, Texas murders committed by illegal migrant Francisco Oropeza, multiple 2023 manhunts for escaped murderers in Pennsylvania, and the October 2023 Lewiston, Maine shooting that killed 18 Americans. Despite this proven track record of crisis response, current law subjects these officers to post-operation scrutiny that their federal counterparts in other agencies do not face.

Restoring Common Sense Authority

Representative Gonzales, drawing on twenty years of military experience, emphasized that “when violence or terror strikes, the best-trained men and women need to be able to respond without hesitation about the bureaucratic backlash.” The legislation would grant Border Patrol SOG personnel presumed federal employment status when assisting during violent incidents, extending liability protections that enable rapid response. With major events like the Super Bowl requiring specialized security coordination, the bill addresses immediate operational needs while correcting a long-term structural deficiency. The measure achieves institutional parity between federal agencies, ensuring that communities under attack receive the fastest, most capable response regardless of which federal badge the rescuers wear.

Legislative Path Forward

H.R. 7098 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it awaits further action. The bill represents a straightforward fix to bureaucratic dysfunction that has endangered both law enforcement personnel and the communities they protect. For conservatives who value supporting law enforcement while eliminating unnecessary government obstacles, this legislation exemplifies common-sense reform. It removes barriers that prevent trained professionals from protecting innocent Americans without creating new government programs or expanding federal overreach. The measure simply ensures that federal tactical resources can deploy effectively when terror and violence threaten American lives, without officers facing legal jeopardy for answering the call.