U.S. Border Patrol Aircraft Face Surge in Laser Attacks

Customs and Border Protection reports six laser incidents since October, with one arrest and ongoing investigations.

Six laser attacks on U.S. Border Patrol aircraft have been reported since October, forcing evasive maneuvers by pilots.
The most recent incident occurred on February 9 near McAllen International Airport in Texas, involving a laser originating from a vehicle on the Mexican riverbank.
An earlier January 9 attack in Jacksonville, Florida, led to the arrest of an individual now facing felony charges for targeting an aircraft with a laser.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft cockpit is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Laser incidents targeting aircraft have risen sharply nationwide in recent years, with over 13,000 reported in 2023 according to the FAA.