Lawmakers introduce bill to expand and strengthen Shadow Wolves border unit

U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona and Tom Suozzi of New York introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the Shadow Wolves, an all-Native American tactical unit within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to AZ Free News. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act would allow ICE to convert Shadow Wolves positions from the expected service to the competitive service hiring structure.

The Shadow Wolves operate primarily on the Tohono O’odham Nation and specialize in tracking drug smuggling and human trafficking across tribal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. A 2024 Government Accountability Office report cited staffing shortages tied to retirements and recruiting challenges under the current hiring system. Supporters of the bill said the change would expand recruitment pools, improve retention and allow the program to grow to other border-adjacent tribal nations. A companion measure has advanced in the U.S. Senate, according to AZ Free News.