DEL RIO, Texas - A coalition of Texas border mayors, county judges and economic development associa-tions today urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to approve requests by Texas Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, to deploy unmanned aerial surveillance drone aircraft along the Texas-Mexico border.

"In a world of evolving threats to our national security, the U.S. cannot rely on outmoded strategies and tactics rooted in the past," said Del Rio Mayor Efrain Valdez, chairman of the Texas Border Coalition (TBC). "It is vital that the Obama Adminis-tration take immediate action to enhance border security using unmanned aerial drone technology."

Cuellar, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcom-mittee, announced that he had submitted a request to CBP officials urging deployment of the unmanned aircraft along the Texas-Mexico border as soon as possible.

Perry has also called on the federal government to use the drones to enhance border security.

"Being the only southern border state that is separated from Mexico by a river, Texas needs a unique solution because one size does not fit all," Valdez said.

TBC has long advocated the use of high technology, such as ground sensors, radar, observation from the air, and remote video surveillance, to patrol the border where traditional border barriers won't work.

In addition, TBC members believe that high-tech alternatives paired with lowtechnology solutions, and more manpower and infrastructure improvements at the U.S. land ports of entry, will help the nation achieve true border security.

TBC also supports the Vega Project in Laredo, the Brownsville Weir and Reservoir project, and clearing the banks of the Rio Grande of Carrizo Cane and salt cedar vegetation to eliminate hiding places for illegal border-crossers.