FIRST ON FOX: The House Homeland Security Committee subpoenaed the Biden administration for documents related to what it says was a failure in the operation and maintenance of surveillance cameras at the southern border after not receiving a response to its requests for answers .

Chairman Mark Green issued a subpoena for requested documents and information on October 16 regarding the operation of Border Patrol’s Integrated Fixed Towers and Remote Video Surveillance System Upgrade (RVSS-U) camera programs.

“The urgency of this national security threat demands solutions from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Congress,” states a cover letter to the Secretary of the Department of Security Interior (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas.

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Border Patrol sources told Fox News that many of the crucial remote surveillance cameras in several areas along the southern border were not working or working. (Bill Melugin/Fox News)

Sources told the committee that more than 66% of RVSS-U cameras are inoperable and maintenance is sometimes performed by non-US citizens, which could be a violation of security policy. Whistleblowers told the committee that some of the busiest southwest border sectors have nearly 50 or more cameras offline and several towers out of service for more than a year.

“The failure to keep surveillance tower cameras operating presents a serious threat to national security. Over the past four years, the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous border security and immigration policies have led CBP to encounter more than 8.4 million people at the U.S.-Mexico border, more than 10.4 million across the country, and the flight of more than two million known people into the country. “inside the United States,” Green said.

“The Committee is deeply concerned that if nearly two-thirds of USBP remote surveillance tower cameras are inoperable, the total number of aliens who have entered or will enter the United States without screening or verification could be much higher than reported.”

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Green said DHS responded to the request by promising a briefing on Oct. 30 to begin answering questions, but no documentation was provided, and the department later said the briefing “was not intended to respond” to this request.

“The Committee requires the documents, information, and data requested by the attached subpoena to fully evaluate potential legislation regarding both USBP surveillance tower operability standards and contractor eligibility standards for contracts involving the maintenance and operation of the USBP surveillance towers,” the letter said.

NBC News previously reported that an October memo indicated that nearly a third of the cameras, or about 150 of the 500 cameras installed on the surveillance towers, were out of service due to technical problems.

RVSS cameras are almost 15 years old and are used to monitor border areas without requiring regular patrols on the ground. Agents also rely on various means of detection and surveillance, including AI-powered towers, as well as helicopters, K-9s, the border wall, and the agents themselves.

This composite image shows President Mark Green, left, DHS Secretary Mayorkas and a border surveillance camera. (Fox News/Photo by Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/)

Officers noted the usefulness of automated surveillance towerswhich are more advanced and use AI to track migrants and help officers locate them. CBP has deployed more than 300 towers.

Officials say RVSS is an old and expensive system that requires regular maintenance and dedicated staff to monitor the cameras. This contrasts with newer systems that use AI and provide alerts to agents in real time.

A CBP spokesperson told Fox this month that CBP “uses a multi-layered approach, including technological advancements to strengthen border security along the southern, northern and coastal/maritime environments.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE ON THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS

“While older technologies such as Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) have been useful operational tools for over 15 years, they require significant maintenance and upgrades as they reach the end of their lifecycle expected life. As systems fail, CBP works to resolve the problem. problem by updating the systems with new camera optics or replacing them entirely with a combination of mobile tower systems, aerial platforms, movable tower systems and fixed observation posts to provide coverage in areas criticism,” they said.

“CBP continues to install newer, more advanced technologies that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning to replace outdated systems, reducing the need to have officers working on functions other than interdiction at the within a local command center. To date, CBP has deployed 305 Automated Surveillance Towers (AST) and will deploy 15 additional recently purchased Integrated Surveillance Towers (IST) in the coming months. »

However, the situation has attracted criticism from the National Border Patrol Council, who said it impacts officer safety.

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“Once again, we are faced with yet another situation of ineptitude from this administration, and it continues to show how out of touch DHS leadership is. Not only does it impact the country by not knowing who or what is coming in, but it also impacts the country. the safety of agents working on the front lines,” said Art Del Cueto, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council.

It comes days before the presidential election, where border security is a top issue for voters, and Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have sought to position themselves as the candidate best positioned to secure the border after a years-long migration crisis.

Bill Melugin and Stepheny Price of Fox News contributed to this report.