The U.S. military successfully intercepted a potentially threatening drone near the U.S.-Mexico border using a laser on Thursday. The drone turned out to be owned by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as confirmed by lawmakers.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented additional airspace restrictions around Fort Hancock, Texas, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of El Paso. Any counter-drone action taken by the military within U.S. airspace requires formal notification to the FAA.
This marked the second instance within two weeks where a laser was deployed in the region. The previous incident involved CBP utilizing the laser near Fort Bliss without any impact. As a result, the FAA had to temporarily close air traffic at El Paso airport and nearby areas. However, the recent airspace closure was more limited, with no disruption to commercial flights.
Washington U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and other key Democrats expressed astonishment upon receiving official notification of the incident. They criticized the Trump administration for bypassing a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing training for drone operators and fostering better communication among the Pentagon, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees CBP.
In response to the situation, the FAA, CBP, and the Pentagon issued a joint statement defending the military’s use of anti-drone measures to address the potential threat posed by the drone in military airspace. The action was taken away from populated areas and commercial flight paths as part of border security efforts.
The Trump administration’s directive emphasized collaboration among the Department of Defense, FAA, and Customs and Border Patrol to tackle drone threats from Mexican cartels and foreign terrorist groups along the U.S.-Mexico border. While the El Paso shutdown lasted only a few hours, it caused concern, with initial FAA plans for a lengthier closure and subsequent flight cancellations in the city.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a leading member on the Senate’s aviation subcommittee, called for an independent inquiry into the matter, criticizing the administration’s handling of airspace incidents. The recent events underscore existing concerns among lawmakers regarding inter-agency coordination, as highlighted by a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., in January 2025.
To empower law enforcement agencies, including certain state and local departments, Congress passed the Safer Skies Act two months ago, granting them the authority to counter rogue drones with proper training. The U.S. government has allocated significant funds to enhance state drone response capabilities in preparation for upcoming events and to bolster national drone defense mechanisms.
In light of the increasing drone threats globally, anti-drone systems using various technologies, such as radio signals, high-powered microwaves, and laser beams, are being deployed to safeguard critical airspace. The utilization of these systems is vital in mitigating the risks posed by drones, particularly in sensitive border regions.
