H.R. 4872 amends the Wilderness Act to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to conduct border security operations inside federally protected wilderness areas. The bill permits CBP to use vehicles, aircraft, roads, and physical barriers within these areas, as well as conduct patrols and deploy surveillance technology—activities that are normally prohibited in wilderness areas to preserve their natural character. The legislation applies to all international land borders of the United States, primarily affecting wilderness areas along the southern border with Mexico. While the bill requires CBP to protect the wilderness character of these areas "to the extent possible," it gives CBP broad authority to override standard wilderness protections in the name of border security. The bill contains no specific funding amounts or implementation timelines, leaving those details to be determined through the appropriations process.
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