September 23 - 24, 2025
| Phoenix, AZ
Agenda Day 2
8:00 am - 8:55 am
BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
8:55 am - 9:00 am
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME REMARKS
Nelson Balido -
Chairman,
Border Commerce and Security Council
9:15 am - 9:45 am
KEYNOTE: BIOMETRICS IN BORDER SECUIRTY: ADVANCEMENT AND CHALLENGES
Nelson Balido -
Chairman,
Border Commerce and Security Council
Jody Hardin - Executive Director, Innovation and Strategy Directorate, Office of Field Operations, US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
- Advancements in biometric technology: Discuss the use of biometric modalities in identity verification, watchlist screening, and traveler authentication at ports of entry and border checkpoints.
- Privacy and civil liberties considerations: Examine the privacy and civil liberties considerations associated with the deployment of biometric technology in border security operations.
- Operational challenges and implementation issues: Identify operational challenges and implementation issues in deploying biometric technology and explore best practices for overcoming these challenges and maximizing effectiveness.
Jody Hardin
Executive Director, Innovation and Strategy Directorate, Office of Field Operations, US Customs and Border ProtectionDepartment of Homeland Security
9:45 am - 10:15 am
INDUSTRY INSIGHT SESSION: ECHODYNE
Nelson Balido -
Chairman,
Border Commerce and Security Council
Roy Schwartz - VP, Federal Sales, Echodyne
Ashley Meston - Federal Civ RSM, Echodyne
10:15 am - 10:45 am
COFFEE AND NETWORKING
10:45 am - 11:15 am
PANEL DISCUSSION: EFFORTS ACROSS HSI IN COMBATTING HUMAN AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
Nelson Balido -
Chairman,
Border Commerce and Security Council
Chad Plantz - Homeland Security Investigations, Assistant Director for Domestic Operations, Department of Homeland Security
- Multi-agency task forces and joint operations: Explore the role of multi-agency taskforces and how federal agencies collaborate with state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and dismantle trafficking networks.
- Intelligence sharing and coordination: Discuss strategies for improving information sharing mechanisms to enhance situational awareness and target trafficking networks more effectively.
- Current challenges and solutions: Provide current challenges your office faces when combatting human and drug trafficking and solutions to mitigate those challenges.
Chad Plantz
Homeland Security Investigations, Assistant Director for Domestic OperationsDepartment of Homeland Security
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
ADVANCING MARINE DOMAIN AWARENESS: ENHANCING MARITIME BORDER SECURITY
Neil Lanzendorf -
Director, Air and Marine Operations Center,
US Customs and Border Protection
- Leveraging technology for maritime surveillance: Discuss the latest advancements in technology for enhancing maritime domain awareness (radar systems, satellite imaging, UAS, sensors) and how they are used to detect, track, monitor vessels and activities.
- Interagency collaboration: Strategies for improving coordination among federal, state, local agencies, and international partners to enhance domain awareness, facilitate law enforcement operations, and combat drug smuggling and human trafficking.
- Challenges and solutions: Identify key challenges and obstacles faced in ensuring effective maritime border security and potential solutions and best practices for addressing them.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
LUNCH AND NETWORKING
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
PANEL SESSION: EMERGING THREATS, EVOLVING SOLUTIONS: ADDRESSING THE RISK AND CHALLENGES OF MARITIME DRONE PROLIFERATION
Nelson Balido -
Chairman,
Border Commerce and Security Council
Captain James Spitler - Sector Commander, Guardians of the Southwest, US Coast Guard
- Detection and tracking technologies: Discuss deployment of detection and tracking technologies for unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles in coastal and maritime environments. Also discuss their effectiveness in identifying potential threats and mitigating security risks.
- Counter-drone measures and interdiction tactics: Discuss strategies for disabling or neutralizing hostile drones, as well as legal and regulatory frameworks for authorizing the use of force against unauthorized or hostile drones in maritime settings.
- Collaborative approaches and internation cooperation: Highlight the importance of collaborative approaches and international cooperation in addressing the challenges of maritime drone proliferation.
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY: UPDATES FROM ICE ENFORCEMENT AND REMOVAL OPERATIONS
John Cantu -
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement,
Department of Homeland Security
- Data on ERO’s current removal posture — removing 138,844 noncitizens in 2024 so far — nearly double 2022’s total removal numbers and almost as many as the entirety of 2023.
- Operations at the Southwest Border and advancements in ICE’s Alternatives to Detention program including biometric innovations and digital solutions.
- Additions of machine-learning tools and technology developments to improve ERO’s language access services and modernize the U.S. immigration system.
- Operational efficiencies using the Field Office Appointment Scheduler (FOAS), virtual check-ins and electronic travel documents.
John Cantu
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Immigration and Customs EnforcementDepartment of Homeland Security
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm
COFFEE AND NETWORKING
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
DEVELOPING AND NURTURING BORDER FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT VIA DHS S&T
James Small -
Portfolio Manager, Customs and Border Protection Program, Science and Technology Directorate,
Department of Homeland Security
· Overview of S&T development areas of note
· Focus on biometrics, UAS, CUAS, data analytics
· Roadmaps for success, industry partnership opportunities
James Small
Portfolio Manager, Customs and Border Protection Program, Science and Technology DirectorateDepartment of Homeland Security
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BORDER CRIME SUPPRESSION TEAM: STRATEGIES AND SUCCESS STORIES
Lt. Chris Katra -
Narcotics and Gang Division,
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
- Success Stories: Highlight specific cases or operations where the Border Crime Suppression Task Force effectively disrupted criminal activities along the border.
- Intelligence Sharing: Discuss the importance of sharing intelligence and information across agencies to identify and target transnational organizations.
- Technology Integration: Explore how the Border Crime Suppression Task force utilizes advanced technologies, such as data analytics and surveillance systems, to enhance border security and disrupt criminal activities.
