Border Security Alliance Expands into New States to Address Emerging Threats at Southern & Northern Borders
New Advisory Council of Regional Experts SHINES Light on Cross-Border Smuggling by Cartels, Organized Crime, and International Terror Groups
Phoenix, AZ — The Border Security Alliance announced today the creation of an Advisory Council of local leaders along the northern and southern borders. The Border Security Alliance (BSA) is a national coalition dedicated to safeguarding America’s borders and ports through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The organization’s mission is to counter the rising threats of smuggling, human trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime exploiting vulnerabilities along U.S. borders and ports of entry.
“Since our inception, BSA has been focused on telling the real story of what is happening along our borders including human and drug trafficking, the importation of illicit and counterfeit products, and the impacts to local communities,” said Jobe Dickinson, President of BSA. “Our borders are geographically vast and diverse, and the challenges each border state faces are unique. By broadening our reach and expanding our leadership representation into more states, we hope to empower our local leaders and the public with information to protect their communities, fostering a united effort to ensure a safer nation.”
The Advisory Council will help educate the public and policy leaders about the challenges communities face along the northern and southern borders. The Advisory Council includes:
Thomas Galvin, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (Arizona): Chairman Thomas Galvin represents District 2 on the Board of Supervisors. His top priority is protecting the Maricopa County taxpayer by being a fiscally responsible steward of the County’s financial resources. As a supervisor, his focus areas include public safety, economic development, housing, and infrastructure. Thomas serves as a member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors, PHX East Valley Partnership Board of Directors, and the Canada-Arizona Business Council.
“Arizona has long been impacted by prior decades of failed border policies in Washington D.C. resulting in a flood of criminal activity pouring across the border,” Galvin said. “The smuggling of illicit drugs and human trafficking reach well beyond our border communities. As Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, I see firsthand each day the role local law enforcement plays in seizing narcotics and busting criminal drug rings that have infiltrated our community. I am honored to work with organizations such as the Border Security Alliance to bring awareness to these important issues and help inform lawmakers of much needed policy changes to further secure our border and protect local communities.”
Demi Kouzounas, U.S. Veteran and Small Business Owner (Maine): The first in her family to attend college, Demi graduated from the University of Maine at Orono and went on to earn a Doctorate in Dentistry from Tufts University. She then served in the U.S. Army with her husband Joe, stationed in Germany during the Cold War. That experience deepened her sense of patriotism and strengthened her lifelong commitment to service. Demi chaired the Maine Republican Party for six years, leading with conviction and principle. She has also been a candidate for U.S. Senate, driven by a desire to protect opportunity, strengthen families, and restore the American Dream for the next generation.
“The United States remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for all, but our safety is being threatened by a porous northern border here in Maine—one that exposes our communities to serious risks and undermines the rule of law,” Kouzounas said. “Although we are making significant progress along the southern border, we cannot ignore the growing concerns at Maine’s northern border with Canada. Our ports of entry and vast stretches of unguarded land make the state a strategic target for criminal networks seeking to bypass detection. I am honored to join the Border Security Alliance and colleagues from other border states to advocate for smart, balanced solutions that secure our communities while upholding the laws and values that define us.”
Luisa del Rosal, Texas-Mexico Trade Expert & Policy Analyst (Texas): Along with running her small franchise business, EverLine, Luisa works as a coach and consultant for organizations looking for strategic & fundraising guidance. She also writes as a Contributing Columnist for The Dallas Morning News and serves as Texas Governor Greg Abbott's appointee on the Texas Medical Board. She teaches a class on public policy and international affairs as a Collin Powell Teaching Fellow at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
“Our country is one of the most welcoming places in the world, but a secure border is vital to protecting the American Dream,” del Rosal said. “As a first-generation immigrant with roots in Mexico, I followed the rules for an opportunity to grow my wings and reach my full potential in the United States. I’ve become an expert in immigration and international trade, I’ve worked on behalf of Texas border communities, and I’ve started a small business. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that a wide-open border has on families, ranchers, businesses, and trade, and I am proud to bring my perspective to the Border Security Alliance.”
Craig Meidl, Former Spokane Police Chief (Washington): Chief Craig Meidl is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a seasoned law enforcement leader with more than 30 years of experience, including eight years as Chief of Police for Spokane, Washington. As a law enforcement leader from Washington State, he is also acutely aware of the unique challenges America faces at the vast, rugged and under-resourced northern border.
"As the former Chief of Police in Spokane, Washington, I’m acutely aware of the unique challenges we face along the often-overlooked northern border: it is vast, rugged, and dangerously under-resourced - conditions that make it a prime target for smuggling, trafficking, and other threats to public safety,” Meidl said. “When cartels move drugs, weapons, and victims across our borders, those threats don’t stop at the state line - they spread through sophisticated criminal networks that reach into every community in America. From fentanyl and methamphetamine flooding our streets, to human trafficking, to the heartbreaking rise in babies born addicted to street drugs, the human toll is undeniable. I am honored to join the Border Security Alliance’s Advisory Council to help advance solutions that empower law enforcement, protect our communities, and strengthen our national security.”
