Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats – Arizona/Sonora Corridor

Last Updated February 8, 2011

The Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats (ACTT) is a collaborative enforcement effort put in place in September 2009 that leverages the capabilities and resources of over 60 federal, state, local and tribal agencies in Arizona and the Government of Mexico to combat individuals and criminal organizations that pose a threat to communities on both sides of the border.

The Arizona border with Mexico is one of the busiest border regions. In fiscal year 2010, our eight Arizona ports of entry processed over 24 million people and 375,000 commercial trucks and handled over 7.7 million passenger vehicle inspections and 6.8 million pedestrian inspections. Each year these ports process approximately $19 billion in trade.

Additionally, approximately half of all drugs seized and illegal immigrants apprehended entering the United States are seized or apprehended in Arizona.

ACTT was launched to increase collaboration to counter the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations operating in the Arizona corridor. It is one of the many examples of the ways in which DHS is working side-by-side with the law enforcement agencies that have a stake in strengthening border security and improving the quality of life of affected communities.

Over the last two years, the Department of Homeland Security has engaged in an unprecedented effort to secure the Southwest border, coupled with a smart and effective approach to enforcing our immigration laws.

• The Border Patrol is better staffed than at any time in its history, having doubled the number of agents from approximately 10,000 in 2004 to more than 20,700 today.
• DHS has doubled the number of ICE personnel assigned to Border Enforcement Security Task Forces; increased the number of intelligence analysts working along the U.S.-Mexico border; and quintupled deployments of Border Liaison Officers.
• CBP has deployed thousands of technology assets – including mobile surveillance units, thermal imaging systems, and large-and small-scale non-intrusive inspection equipment – at and between the ports of entry.
• DHS has begun screening of southbound rail and vehicle traffic for the illegal weapons and cash that are helping to fuel the cartel violence in Mexico.
• 1,200 National Guard troops have been deployed to actively assist law enforcement agencies, including 500 in Arizona that serve on Entry Identification Teams and as criminal investigation analysts to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and counternarcotics enforcement support
• DHS has provided over $123 million in grants to southwest states to support border law enforcement, including nearly $34 million for Arizona

Unified Command and Advisory Board Members

Unified Command:

Special Agent in Charge Matthew C. Allen, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of Arizona
Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas W. Coleman, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever (Border Sheriff’s Representative)
Director Robert Halliday Arizona Department of Public Safety
Director of Field Operations David P. Higgerson, CBP Office of Field Operations, (OFO)
Chief Randy R. Hill, CBP U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector
Field Office Director Katrina S. Kane, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
Acting Chief Rodolfo Karisch, CBP U.S. Border Patrol Yuma
Director Elizabeth Kempshall, Arizona High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area

Advisory Board Members:

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall
Maricopa County Attorney William Montgomery
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik
Cochise County Attorney Edward Rheinheimer
Chief Derek Arnson - Gila River Police Department
Santa Cruz County Attorney George Silva
Chief Jack Harris - Phoenix Police Department
Pinal County Attorney James Walsh
Yuma County Attorney Jon Smith
Chief Joseph Delgado - Tohono O’odham Police Department
Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu
Yuma County Sheriff Ralph Ogden
Chief Roberto Villaseñor - Tucson Police Department
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada