Border Security Expo 2026 has confirmed a major addition to its program, with U.S. (A) Attorney General Todd Blanche set to deliver the Opening Keynote on Wednesday, May 6.
The inclusion of Department of Justice leadership brings a critical enforcement and prosecutorial perspective into this year’s discussions—reflecting the growing role DOJ plays across the border security mission.
A Focus on Enforcement, Disruption, and Rule of Law
As operational priorities evolve, DOJ continues to play a central role in:
- Combating immigration fraud, illicit trade, and financial crime
- Disrupting cartel and transnational criminal activity
- Expanding enforcement through new prosecutorial authorities
- Addressing assaults on federal officers during lawful enforcement
- Prosecuting criminal actors tied to border-related activity
These priorities are increasingly interconnected with the work of DHS and its components, shaping how agencies coordinate across enforcement, intelligence, and legal frameworks.
Program Expansion Across Key Mission Areas
The addition of DOJ leadership comes alongside a broader expansion of the program, with new speakers and sessions confirmed across several priority areas.
Sessions will examine:
- Cartels Reclassified — The operational impact of Foreign Terrorist Organization designation on operations, including expanded intelligence sharing frameworks, material-support prosecutions, and the evolving role of military support.
- One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) — Industry partners will learn how to align with DHS priorities, strengthen program defensibility, and position solutions for funding and mission impact.
- UAS and Counter-UAS — Evolving mission requirements and mitigation strategies
- National Security Vetting — Fraud detection, biometrics, and interagency intelligence coordination
- The Role of Technologies to Secure the Border — perspective on innovation, capability, and how technology supports the mission in the field
Together, these discussions reflect how policy, funding, and operational execution are increasingly aligned across the homeland security enterprise.
From Leadership Discussions to Real-Time Engagement
Beyond formal sessions, Border Security Expo continues to expand how these conversations take place on site.
New for 2026, the SITREP Stage on the show floor will host live discussions directly on the show floor—bringing together leadership conversations, interviews, and technology-focused sessions in a high-traffic, accessible environment.
Topics will include:
- AI-enabled mission support
- Accelerating dual-use technology into operations
- Transitioning capabilities from lab to field
- Overcoming barriers in acquisition, integration and scaling
- The role of public-private partnerships
This format creates a direct connection between policy, operations, and innovation—allowing attendees to engage with these discussions as they unfold.
Where Strategy Meets Execution
Border Security Expo brings together leaders shaping policy and those executing operations—creating a forum where coordination, alignment, and real-time exchange happen across the border security community.
From leadership briefings to on-the-ground engagement, the event reflects how the mission is evolving across every level of the homeland security enterprise.
Event Details
Border Security Expo 2026 takes place May 5–6 in Phoenix, with a Welcome Reception on May 4.
Government, law enforcement, and active-duty military attend complimentary.
View the Full Agenda → https://www.bordersecurityexpo.com/agenda
Register Now →https://www.bordersecurityexpo.com/registration
Explore Exhibit & Sponsor Opportunities → https://app.useaccordo.com/interest/bse-2026
