The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pressing Congress for expanded legal authority to counter increasingly sophisticated drone threats, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warning lawmakers on 26 June that unmanned aerial systems pose mounting risks to border security, critical infrastructure, and major public events. Mullin made the appeal before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, arguing that existing legislation has failed to keep pace with fast-evolving drone technology.

Why Existing Laws Are Falling Short

Mullin told the subcommittee that while current technology can handle hobbyist-grade drones, more advanced systems are becoming significantly harder to intercept. 'The issue that we have is the ones that have it on fibre,' he said. 'The only way for us to be able to bring them down is be kinetic.' He noted that expanding counter-drone capabilities is complicated by aviation safety concerns, collateral damage risks, and overlapping federal jurisdictions — all of which require new legislative backing. 'Congress is going to have to lean on this a little bit,' Mullin said. 'This is a threat that's changing every single day.'

Surge at the US-Mexico Border

Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Troy Edgar told lawmakers that drone activity along the US-Mexico border has risen sharply. 'Just from the beginning of this fiscal year till yesterday, they had 11,000 drones basically registered at the border,' Edgar said, adding that a better-funded strategy backed by clear legal authorities was urgently needed. The border drone surge reflects a broader pattern of unmanned systems being used for surveillance and smuggling — a challenge that has outpaced the department's current enforcement toolkit.

A Fragmented DHS Response

Mullin acknowledged that DHS's counter-drone efforts are currently fragmented across its 22 components, with at least 8 running separate counter-UAS programmes. He said the department is considering establishing a joint counter-drone task force to unify these efforts. DHS is also working with the FBI to scale up counter-drone training for state and local law enforcement agencies — demand for which, Mullin said, already exceeds available capacity at the FBI's training programme.

FIFA Club World Cup: A Historic Deployment

The growing threat has already prompted an unprecedented operational response. Mullin told lawmakers that for the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, counter-drone systems have been deployed across all 11 host stadiums — the first time in history such comprehensive coverage has been achieved. He said authorities have neutralised more than 60 unauthorised drones over FIFA venues to date, along with 8 during the Formula 1 race and 12 during the Augusta tournament.

The Broader Security Context

The rapid proliferation of commercial drone technology has become a global security concern, with governments worldwide investing in counter-UAS capabilities to protect airports, military installations, and large public gatherings from surveillance, smuggling, and potential attacks. The United States has significantly ramped up investment in these systems ahead of major international events and along its borders. DHS officials argue that stronger legal authorities, improved technology, and tighter coordination among federal, state, and local agencies will be essential to stay ahead of increasingly capable unmanned aerial threats. Whether Congress acts swiftly on Mullin's request will determine how quickly those gaps can be closed.