© Draganfly.com

During his first term in office, President Donald Trump significantly accelerated efforts to tighten security and reduce illegal crossings through a combination of increased personnel and expanded use of advanced technology along the U.S.-Mexico border. Now, in his second term, Trump continues to prioritize heightened enforcement and renewed investment in border control infrastructure and surveillance systems, keeping immigration a central theme of his presidency.

Border enforcement in the United States has long relied on a combination of physical barriers, ground patrols, manned surveillance towers, and, increasingly, drone technology. Over the past decade, advancements in unmanned aerial systems have allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to expand its reach into remote regions of the southern border, where traditional enforcement can be limited by geography or lack of personnel.

While illegal crossings have fluctuated over time, CBP and the local law enforcement agencies that assist them have consistently reported concerns about individuals who slip through the cracks, entering the country without being apprehended. As enforcement efforts intensify in high-traffic zones, unauthorized migrants often relocate to more remote areas. That is where drone technology has become a critical tool for detection and response.

A new program being used by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Arizona allows drones to assist not just in surveillance, but also in the apprehension of individuals crossing the border illegally. According to Captain Tim Williams, Special Operations Division leader from CCSO, the shift is already showing promise. “This really opens the door for possibilities of what we can do,” Captain Williams said.

The agency believes that drones are no longer just eyes in the sky. They are now supporting agents in the field in real time. “It all goes back to we’re trying to make our community safer,” Captain Williams explained. “With the technology and personnel we have, new drone technology just enhances our ability to do that better. It allows us to add another layer of technology to the border that’s going to make not only finding these individuals easier but allows for safer apprehensions and getting communities safer overall.”

The drones used in this program come from Draganfly, an unmanned aerial systems company founded in 1998 by Zenon Dragan. Recognized as one of the oldest and continuously operating drone companies, Draganfly is headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It specializes in professional-grade drone platforms used across more than a dozen countries, with a focus on public safety, infrastructure inspection, and law enforcement support.

The specific drone model deployed for this border initiative, the Draganfly EV-350, is designed for endurance and adaptability in the field. The system features a medium-sized multirotor frame, optimized for flight stability even in high wind conditions. With a battery life of up to 3 hours, depending on weather and payload, the drone can maintain persistent coverage over remote terrain. It supports a payload capacity of approximately 6.6 pounds, allowing for a dual-camera setup that includes both high-definition optical zoom and thermal imaging capabilities. This configuration is ideal for tracking movement in low-light or heavily obstructed environments such as brushland and desert.

Additional features include autonomous waypoint navigation, live streaming of full-motion video to command stations, and integration with GPS for pinpoint tracking. The drones are also equipped with AI-powered detection tools that can identify individuals or vehicles and relay that information to agents on the ground. Geofencing technology ensures that drones stay within designated patrol areas, reducing the risk of unintended border crossings or airspace violations.

This fusion of manned and unmanned operations is transforming the way border security is conducted. By pairing on-the-ground enforcement with real-time aerial intelligence, CBP and partner agencies, like CCSO, can operate more efficiently and safely. The technology reduces response time and allows agents to navigate directly to the location of detected individuals, often before they can disappear into the terrain.

As drones continue to evolve, their role in border enforcement is expected to grow, underscoring President Trump’s broader border control missions and objectives to enhance drone technology. Future iterations may include extended battery life, expanded payloads, and even swarm capabilities for covering wider regions simultaneously. For now, the current deployment represents a significant step forward in utilizing aerial technology to enhance national security efforts and improve public safety in border communities.

Previous Drone News: