Kelly, Gallego, Hoeven, Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Shadow Wolves Program & Strengthen Border Security
Bill advanced through committee unanimously last September
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND), and James Lankford (R-OK) reintroduced the bipartisanShadow Wolves Improvement Act to strengthen border security and expand opportunities for Shadow Wolves agents. The legislation reclassifies Shadow Wolves as competitive service employees, giving them greater career mobility, improving retention, and making it easier to recruit new agents. The bill passed through committee unanimously last September but ran out of time to pass the Senate.
Shadow Wolves are members of the Tohono O’odham Nation who patrol the 76-mile stretch of land that the Tohono O’odham Nation shares with Mexico. They are known for their ability to track drug smugglers as they attempt to smuggle illegal commodities across Tribal land, thanks to their unique geographical and cultural knowledge.
Despite their critical role in border security, Shadow Wolves still lack the same career opportunities as other Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents. This bill ensures they receive equal career mobility and compensation by allowing ICE to convert Shadow Wolves from the excepted to the competitive service after three years of service. It also codifies recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to enhance and expand the program.
“The Shadow Wolves are a critical asset to effectively fight against human and drug smugglers at our southern border. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act strengthens their specialized tactical units, ensuring these Native American officers have the best training and career mobility as they work to keep Arizonans safe,” said Kelly.
“Arizona’s Shadow Wolves are invaluable in our fight against human trafficking and drug smuggling. It’s about time they had the same benefits as other federal agents,” said Gallego. “This bill makes sure they get fair treatment, helps recruit and keep top talent, and helps builds a stronger relationship between DHS and Tribal communities so we can work together to keep our border communities safe.”
“The Shadow Wolves have been an important and effective initiative for combatting drug trafficking in Indian Country. Securing the border must be a top priority, and it makes sense to build upon and expand this program to the northern border as part of our broader work to get control of our nation’s borders,” said Hoeven. “That means empowering border professionals, like the Shadow Wolves, to enforce the law and giving them the tools and resources needed to stop traffickers from smuggling drugs and people into the U.S.”
“ICE Shadow Wolves agents—a Native American tactical patrol unit—use their unique expertise and personal knowledge to stop drug traffickers and human smugglers from coming across the southern border. Giving these critical law enforcement officers access to expanded career mobility and opportunity not only supports their work to secure the border but also strengthens recruiting and retention for agents,” said Lankford.
“The Shadow Wolves are an elite, all-Native American tracking and investigative unit with decades of experience in protecting the Tohono O’odham reservation and our border. Their unique skill set and deep knowledge of the land is invaluable to law enforcement in the area. The Tohono O’odham Nation strongly supports the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act to give our Shadow Wolves agents the support they deserve and preserve the Nation’s role in protecting our land,” said Verlon Jose, Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
“Native American law enforcement officers deserve equal compensation and benefits as their non-Native counterparts, and the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is a crucial step toward achieving that fairness. Shadow Wolves agents bring unparalleled expertise to border security, and expanding this program will not only honor their contributions but also strengthen our nation’s security and protect our communities,” said President Mat Silverman, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
“The National Native American Law Enforcement Association strongly supports the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act. Native Americans plays a key role in protecting the border and this bill is a step forward in giving our community’s law enforcement the recognition and opportunities they deserve,” said the National Native American Law Enforcement Association.
“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. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is an additional tool within the law enforcement toolbox that will help. The Tribe appreciate Senators Gallego and Hoeven introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage in the Senate,” said Jamie Azure, Chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act builds on the Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act, which President Biden signed into law in 2022 to reclassify Shadow Wolves as special agents with full authority to patrol, investigate, interdict, and secure the border.
Click here to read the bill text.
