The National Border Security Awards, launched by Homeland Security Today, are a national recognition program honoring outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations advancing the mission of securing America’s borders. In its inaugural year, the awards will be presented at the Border Security Expo, on May 5th, 2026 to recognize excellence across federal, state, local, and industry communities, highlighting leadership, operational impact, innovation, technology, collaboration, and partnership in border security. Building on HSToday’s commitment to honoring frontline excellence through its annual National Homeland Hero Awards, this new program reflects the growing focus, rapid advancements, and critical importance of border security to the nation’s safety, economy, and security.
We thank all of the nominees for their outstanding achievements and offer our congratulations to the 2026 Border Security Award Winners:
Border Security Person of the Year – Federal
This award recognizes a federal government professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, impact, and dedication in advancing the mission of border security. Honorees have made significant contributions through operational excellence, policy leadership, or innovation at the national level. Their work reflects sustained commitment to protecting the nation’s borders and strengthening security outcomes.
Thomas Homan, Border Czar, The White House
Thomas Homan has demonstrated decisive leadership and national-level impact in advancing border security during a year defined by both operational intensity and complex 
domestic challenges. As Border Czar, Homan has played a central role in shaping and executing enforcement strategy, strengthening coordination between federal agencies, and reinforcing the government’s ability to respond rapidly to evolving threats across the border security enterprise. Under his leadership, border encounters saw a dramatic decline—dropping from approximately 4,800 daily apprehensions to around 285—alongside a roughly 94% reduction in illegal border traffic and a 98% decrease in “got-a-ways,” reflecting a sustained and measurable shift in operational control along the border.
In 2026, Homan’s leadership extended beyond traditional border operations into one of the most high-profile domestic security challenges in recent years. Amid escalating tensions in Minnesota following large-scale immigration enforcement operations and multiple fatal incidents involving federal agents, Homan was deployed to take direct command of operations on the ground. Faced with widespread protests, political pressure, and public concern, he worked to stabilize the situation, restore coordination between federal and local stakeholders, and recalibrate enforcement posture to reduce tensions while maintaining mission effectiveness.
Under his direction, federal operations in Minnesota transitioned toward a more controlled and coordinated approach. Homan oversaw a significant drawdown of federal personnel and implemented measures to improve accountability and cooperation with local jurisdictions—steps credited with helping to reduce tensions and restore a more sustainable operational environment. His ability to step into a volatile situation, bring order, and align enforcement with both mission objectives and public safety considerations reflects a rare combination of operational command and strategic judgment.
Beyond this high-visibility deployment, Homan has continued to drive broader border security efforts, emphasizing interagency coordination, enforcement effectiveness, and operational discipline. His leadership during a year of both record enforcement activity and heightened scrutiny underscores his ability to lead through complexity and deliver results under pressure. For his sustained impact, decisive leadership, and ability to navigate both operational and national-level challenges, Thomas Homan is a highly deserving recipient of the Federal Border Security Person of the Year Award.
Border Security Person of the Year – State
This award honors a state-level professional whose leadership and actions have meaningfully advanced border security efforts. Recipients have demonstrated measurable impact through collaboration, innovation, or frontline leadership within their state. Their work strengthens coordination between state, federal, and local partners in securing the border.
James Uthmeier, Attorney General, Florida
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier exemplifies the leadership, impact, and results-driven approach recognized by the HSToday State Border Security Person of the Year 
Award. Since taking office in February 2025, he has positioned Florida as a national leader in border security enforcement by empowering law enforcement agencies, strengthening federal-state partnerships, and advancing policies that deliver measurable public safety outcomes. His leadership reflects a clear commitment to proactive enforcement and operational effectiveness in addressing illegal immigration and associated threats.
Attorney General Uthmeier has played a central role in establishing Florida as one of the most efficient states in immigration enforcement, particularly through his support of legislation requiring statewide participation in 287(g) agreements. This initiative has significantly expanded cooperation between local law enforcement and federal authorities, making Florida a model for interagency coordination. His leadership also drove the launch of Operation Tidal Wave, one of the largest coordinated immigration enforcement efforts in the country, resulting in more than 10,400 arrests—63 percent involving individuals with prior criminal histories, including violent offenders, gang members, and fugitives.
Recognizing operational challenges, Uthmeier worked closely with law enforcement partners to address capacity constraints and strengthen infrastructure. In response to critical jail bed shortages, he spearheaded the rapid development of the South Florida Detention Facility, a first-of-its-kind center designed to detain, process, and deport illegal aliens. Developed and operational within days, the facility has already supported nearly 2,000 detainees and stands as a scalable model for state support to federal immigration enforcement. Additionally, through his role on Florida’s Board of Immigration Enforcement, he secured federal and state reimbursements to ensure local agencies are resourced to sustain these efforts.
Beyond enforcement, Attorney General Uthmeier has prioritized public safety outcomes, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations. Under his leadership, Florida has achieved record enforcement against child predators, with more than 1,400 arrests and approximately 400 convictions in a single year—many involving individuals unlawfully present in the United States. Through his focus on enforcement, detention, and removal of criminal actors, Uthmeier has contributed to safer communities and strengthened Florida’s role in the national border security mission. For his decisive leadership and measurable impact, James Uthmeier is a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday State Border Security Person of the Year Award.
This award recognizes a local government or law enforcement professional whose efforts have significantly contributed to border security operations and community safety. Honorees exemplify leadership, dedication, and operational excellence at the local level. Their work highlights the critical role local agencies play in the broader border security mission.
J.R. Villarreal, Border Liaison Officer, Texas Rangers Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, Rio Grande Valley – Joint Operations Intelligence Center, Operation Border Star-Operation Drawbridge
J.R. Villarreal represents the kind of experience, leadership, and trusted collaboration that define excellence in border security. With more than three decades of service in the U.S. 
Border Patrol—including senior leadership roles such as Division Chief of Operations in the Rio Grande Valley Sector—Villarreal has been at the center of some of the most complex and high-impact border security operations in the nation. In that role, he helped shape operational strategy in one of the busiest corridors along the Southwest border, where intelligence-driven enforcement and coordination are critical to mission success.
Following his distinguished federal career, Villarreal has continued to make an outsized impact as a Border Liaison Officer (BLO) with the Texas Department of Public Safety, assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Joint Operations Intelligence Center (JOIC). In this role, he serves as a critical bridge between federal, state, and local partners—ensuring seamless information sharing, operational coordination, and real-time decision support across initiatives such as Operation Border Star and Operation Drawbridge. His work directly supports the broader mission of the Texas Rangers and DPS, which play a central role in coordinating border security operations and interagency enforcement efforts across Texas.
Widely recognized as a trusted advisor and connector across the homeland security enterprise, Villarreal brings unmatched institutional knowledge and relationships built over decades of service. He is routinely sought out by leaders across agencies for guidance, insight, and strategic direction—reflecting both his deep expertise and his reputation for integrity and results. Whether supporting frontline operations, shaping collaborative efforts, or strengthening intelligence integration, Villarreal consistently goes far beyond the scope of his role. His sustained contributions have had a lasting impact on border security operations and interagency coordination, making him a truly indispensable asset and a standout leader in the homeland security community.
MVP: Border Security
The MVP: Border Security award honors an individual or team delivering exceptional results that directly enhance border security operations. Recipients demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership, and mission impact over the past year. Their contributions stand out for advancing security, efficiency, or operational effectiveness.
Unattended Ground Sensors Team, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Team of the U.S. Border Patrol exemplifies the performance, impact, and operational excellence recognized by the HSToday MVP: Border 
Security Award. Through their work in fiscal year 2025, the team significantly strengthened detection, monitoring, and protection capabilities along the border, ensuring agents are equipped with reliable, mission-critical tools to address evolving threats. Their efforts reflect a deep commitment to enhancing frontline operations and advancing overall border security effectiveness.
A key driver of their success has been strong collaboration with CBP’s Office of Information Technology, where the UGS Team helped establish critical System Support Arrangements and enabled enhanced monitoring through Network and Security Operations Centers. This integration improved both physical and cybersecurity for deployed systems, ensuring greater visibility, reliability, and resilience. At the same time, the team elevated operational readiness by launching the Jump Team deployment concept, executing multiple field deployments, and delivering comprehensive training to hundreds of agents—while also building a sustainable training framework for the future.
The UGS Team further strengthened the mission by improving sensor accountability, streamlining supply chain processes, and modernizing system management through data-driven recommendations and automation. These efforts reduced administrative burden while increasing efficiency and readiness across the enterprise. Through measurable impact, innovation in execution, and unwavering mission focus, the UGS Team has made a tangible difference in securing the border, making them a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday MVP: Border Security Award.
MVP: Leveraging Technology for a Safer Border
This award recognizes an individual or team that has successfully leveraged technology to strengthen border security and safety. Honorees demonstrate innovative use of tools, systems, or data to improve detection, response, or situational awareness. Their work showcases how technology can be a force multiplier for border security missions.
Linear Ground Detection System Team, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The Linear Ground Detection System (LGDS) Team of the U.S. Border Patrol exemplifies the innovation and mission impact recognized by the HSToday MVP: Leveraging Technology for a Safer Border Award. By harnessing advanced fiber optic sensing technology, the team has transformed how agents detect, track, and respond to activity along the Southwest border, significantly enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness in the field. Their work demonstrates how smart technology integration can directly improve agent safety while strengthening border security outcomes.
In fiscal year 2025, the LGDS Team delivered exceptional results, deploying and operationalizing 141 miles of fiber—surpassing their goal by 235 percent and expanding total coverage to 420 miles. Achieving the ADE-3 milestone marked a critical transition to full production, underscoring the system’s readiness and value to the mission. Beyond deployment, the team prioritized operational success by conducting extensive training for over 120 agents and establishing a test bed at the Border Patrol Academy, ensuring the next generation of agents is equipped to fully leverage this capability.
Through rigorous testing, continuous system refinement, and a focus on real-world usability, the LGDS Team has proven the effectiveness and reliability of this technology in operational environments. Their work has elevated detection capabilities, improved response times, and reinforced the role of technology as a force multiplier in border security. For their measurable impact, technical excellence, and commitment to safer, smarter operations, the LGDS Team is a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday MVP: Leveraging Technology for a Safer Border Award.
MVP Team: Information Sharing & Collaboration
This award honors excellence in fostering information sharing and collaboration across agencies, jurisdictions, or sectors. Recipients have broken down silos to improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and operational outcomes. Their efforts highlight the importance of partnerships in addressing complex border security challenges.
The Cross-Border Tunnel Threat (CBTT) Team, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The Cross-Border Tunnel Threat (CBTT) Team of the U.S. Border Patrol exemplifies the collaboration, innovation, and mission impact recognized by the HSToday MVP Team: Information Sharing & Collaboration Award. Confronting one of the most complex and hidden threats to border security, the team has broken down silos across agencies and partners to create a more unified, intelligence-driven approach to detecting and mitigating subterranean threats. Their work has significantly strengthened coordination, enhanced situational awareness, and improved operational outcomes in a challenging domain.
Throughout fiscal year 2025, the CBTT Team demonstrated exceptional results through coordinated, multi-agency operations, completing 11 tunnel adjudication missions and 3 remediation efforts. By ensuring timely and effective information sharing, the team enabled rapid identification and mitigation of tunnel threats, directly improving physical security along the border. Their early achievement of Initial Operational Capability delivered proven tools and processes to frontline operators, increasing awareness and response capabilities across the U.S. Border Patrol enterprise.
The team’s collaborative efforts extended to partnerships with SPAD, the El Paso Sector, and external innovators, advancing cutting-edge detection technologies such as the V-Alert grate system and ultra-wideband radar. Through joint testing, vendor coordination, and operational scanning efforts spanning more than 12 miles, the CBTT Team enhanced intelligence sharing and informed future acquisition strategies. By integrating partners, technology, and operations into a cohesive effort, the CBTT Team has set a new standard for collaboration in border security, making them a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday MVP Team: Information Sharing & Collaboration Award.
MVP Individual: Information Sharing & Collaboration
This award honors excellence in fostering information sharing and collaboration across agencies, jurisdictions, or sectors. Recipients have broken down silos to improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and operational outcomes. Their efforts highlight the importance of partnerships in addressing complex border security challenges.
Baibhav Devkota, Executive Director, Border Enforcement Management Systems Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Executive Director Baibhav Devkota of CBP’s Office of Information and Technology exemplifies the leadership, innovation, and mission impact recognized by the HSToday MVP 
Individual for Information Sharing & Collaboration Award. Through his leadership of the Border Enforcement and Management Systems Directorate (BEMSD), Devkota has transformed how agencies share and act on critical data—turning fragmented systems into a unified, real-time operational picture that strengthens border security outcomes and enhances agent safety.
Devkota has driven unprecedented interagency collaboration, building and expanding partnerships across CBP, ICE, DOJ, and other federal stakeholders to operationalize seamless data sharing. His leadership enabled the automation of information flows that power tools like the Unified Immigration Portal (UIP) and the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), giving frontline personnel real-time access to immigration determinations, removal orders, and shared situational awareness. These capabilities not only improve operational efficiency and decision-making but also play a critical role in protecting agents in dynamic, high-risk environments.
Perhaps most notably, Devkota led a rapid, high-impact collaboration to implement a unified civil immigration fines capability across CBP and ICE in response to Executive Order 14159. Mobilizing multiple agencies under an aggressive three-week timeline, he delivered an end-to-end, automated fines lifecycle integrated with Treasury’s Pay.gov—processing more than 21,000 fines totaling $6 billion. This achievement established a repeatable model for cross-agency integration and demonstrated the power of collaboration to deliver mission-critical outcomes at speed and scale. For his exceptional leadership and transformative impact, Baibhav Devkota is a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday MVP Individual for Information Sharing & Collaboration Award.
Most Innovative Border Security Project
This award recognizes a project that introduces a novel approach to improving border security operations or outcomes. Honorees demonstrate creativity, scalability, and measurable impact in addressing border challenges. The project sets a new standard for innovation in the border security mission.
Nael Samha, Executive Director, Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Nael Samha, Executive Director of the Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, exemplifies the forward-thinking 
leadership and transformational impact recognized by the HSToday Most Innovative Border Security Project Award. By leading the first operational deployment of generative artificial intelligence within CBP mission systems, Samha moved the agency beyond experimental pilots into fully operational, production-grade capabilities that directly support frontline officers. His work represents a fundamental shift in how advanced technologies are integrated into border security operations—bringing speed, scalability, and real-time intelligence to the forefront of mission execution.
At the center of this innovation is Passenger-AI-Hub, CBP’s first enterprise AI-as-a-Service platform, built on the iForgeAI enablement framework. What makes this project truly innovative is its architectural approach: replacing fragmented, one-off AI implementations with a scalable, reusable model that enables rapid deployment of AI capabilities across multiple systems without duplicating infrastructure or compliance processes. By eliminating redundant Authority to Operate (ATO) cycles and embedding governance, auditability, and data provenance directly into the platform, Samha established a secure and repeatable pathway for responsible AI adoption—setting a new standard for federal technology integration.
The operational impact has been immediate and transformative. Passenger-AI-Hub has enabled CBP to reduce threat analysis timelines from 24–48 hours to under 15 minutes, while cutting implementation timelines by more than 80 percent. With multiple generative AI applications already in production, frontline personnel can now analyze vast datasets, uncover hidden connections, and make faster, more informed decisions during screening and targeting operations. Beyond CBP, the platform’s enterprise design supports interoperability across DHS and interagency partners, creating a scalable model for AI adoption across the homeland security enterprise. For redefining both the technology and the process of innovation in border security, Nael Samha is a highly deserving recipient of the Most Innovative Border Security Project Award.
Most Innovative Border Security Acquisition Project
Peter Giambone, Senior Contracting Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
This award recognizes a project that introduces a novel and transformative approach to acquiring and delivering border security capabilities. Honorees demonstrate creativity, scalability, and measurable impact in modernizing procurement processes and accelerating mission outcomes, setting a new standard for innovation in border security acquisition.
Peter Giambone, Senior Contracting Officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the CBP Tradewinds Acquisition Team exemplify the innovation and impact recognized by 
the HSToday Most Innovative Border Security Acquisition Project Award. Through their groundbreaking execution of the first Department of Homeland Security contract via the Department of Defense’s Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace—and the first such award by any non-DoD agency—the team fundamentally transformed how border security capabilities are acquired and delivered.
What makes this achievement truly innovative is not only the technology procured, but the acquisition model itself. By leveraging pre-vetted, awardable solutions through a post-competition framework, the team eliminated traditional procurement bottlenecks, significantly reducing timelines while maintaining rigor and transparency. This approach enabled the rapid deployment of mission-critical technologies such as V-READS, which analyzes vehicle-based digital signatures to identify potential threats, and PRISM, a portable tool for real-time network traffic analysis and cybersecurity insights—both directly enhancing situational awareness and threat detection along the border.
The project established a scalable, repeatable model for federal acquisition, aligning with Presidential directives and the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul to accelerate procurement of commercially available solutions. By successfully integrating cross-agency collaboration, innovative contracting methods, and cutting-edge technology, the team delivered operational capability to the field at unprecedented speed. Their work not only improved border security outcomes but also set a new government-wide standard for acquisition innovation—making Peter Giambone and the CBP Tradewinds Acquisition Team highly deserving recipients of the HSToday Most Innovative Border Security Acquisition Project Award.
Industry Partner of the Year
This award honors an industry partner that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting border security missions. Recipients have delivered meaningful solutions, expertise, or support that directly enhance government operations. Their partnership reflects collaboration, trust, and mission-driven impact.
ECS Federal
ECS Federal exemplifies the impact and excellence recognized by the HSToday Industry Partner of the Year Award, delivering mission-critical capabilities that strengthen the 
Department of Homeland Security at every level. Supporting DHS HQ, CBP, ICE, USCIS, and CISA, ECS provides advanced analytics, cyber defense, AI/ML, and enterprise IT solutions that enable faster, more accurate, and more resilient operations in an increasingly complex threat environment. Their work forms the backbone of critical systems that support everything from frontline border operations to enterprise-wide decision-making.
What sets ECS apart as an industry partner is its ability to bring proven innovations from across the national security landscape into DHS, accelerating modernization while reducing risk. By integrating hardened cyber practices, scalable data architectures, and AI/ML models validated in high-threat environments, ECS delivers solutions that are both cutting-edge and mission-ready. Their efforts strengthen data integrity, interoperability, and governance across DHS, while enhancing cyber resilience and ensuring mission continuity during high-pressure operations and national-level events.
ECS Federal’s contributions extend across the entire border security ecosystem, serving as a force multiplier that connects technologies, data, and operations across components. By enabling integrated, secure, and interoperable systems, ECS enhances situational awareness, improves risk assessment, and supports coordinated action across agencies. Their consistent delivery, technical rigor, and mission-first approach make them a trusted and indispensable partner. For quietly powering the capabilities that DHS depends on every day, ECS Federal is a highly deserving recipient of the HSToday Industry Partner of the Year Award.
Most Innovative Border Security Solution
This award recognizes a cutting-edge solution that significantly advances border security capabilities. Honorees deliver technologies or services that address operational needs in new and effective ways. The solution demonstrates innovation, real-world applicability, and measurable impact.
EnforceAir2, D-Fend Solutions
D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir2 stands at the forefront of border security innovation, directly addressing one of the most urgent and rapidly evolving challenges: the weaponization of 
drones by criminal and hostile actors. As unmanned aerial systems increasingly enable cross-border smuggling, surveillance, and reconnaissance, EnforceAir2 introduces a transformative capability—extending border control into the low-altitude airspace domain with precision and reliability. Its approach redefines how agencies secure borders, moving beyond traditional ground and physical barriers to address threats from above in a safe and scalable way.
What makes EnforceAir2 truly innovative is its RF-cyber, non-kinetic methodology, which eliminates the long-standing tradeoffs associated with legacy counter-UAS solutions. Rather than relying on disruptive jamming or dangerous kinetic interception, the system detects, identifies, and takes control of rogue drones, guiding them to safe landings without interfering with communications, navigation systems, or legitimate operations. This precise, non-disruptive capability—paired with advanced Cyber-SDR architecture, 360-degree coverage, AI-assisted decision support, and flexible deployment configurations—enables border agencies to operate effectively in complex, RF-dense environments while maintaining mission continuity.
EnforceAir2 embodies the essence of the HSToday Most Innovative Border Security Solution Award by fundamentally changing how border threats are managed—introducing a new operational paradigm that integrates cyber capabilities with physical security. Its proven ability to stop drone-enabled smuggling, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve safe, continuous operations demonstrates not just technological advancement, but real-world impact. By delivering a future-ready solution that scales across environments and mission sets, EnforceAir2 sets a new standard for innovation in border security and is a highly deserving recipient of this award.
