Nearly one-third of the cameras in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) primary surveillance system along the southern border are currently unserviceable, according to an internal memo sent in early October. This failure significantly increases the chances of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. without detection. “The nationwide issue is having significant impacts on [Border Patrol] operations,” the CBP memo, obtained by NBC News, stated.

Around 150 of the 500 cameras atop the surveillance towers along the U.S.-Mexico border are out of service due to “several technical problems,” according to the memo. Officials at CBP, who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity, attributed the breakdown to outdated equipment that has not been properly maintained.

Since 2011, CBP has relied on Remote Video Surveillance Systems to monitor large areas without needing to deploy agents. However, with 30 percent of the cameras down, vast sections of the border may be left vulnerable. CBP whistleblowers said while some repairs have been started, a backlog of 150 cameras needing service remains, although they did not specify which areas are most affected.

A CBP spokesperson said the agency has been installing 300 new towers that use advanced technology, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning. These upgrades aim to reduce the number of agents required for non-interdiction tasks. “CBP continues to install newer, more advanced technology to replace outdated systems,” the spokesperson added.

The Border Patrol union in Laredo, TX, highlighted the issue in a Facebook post last week, expressing concern about the inoperative camera towers. The union noted that the malfunction poses serious risks to officer safety and border security. “We hope this issue is resolved soon as the problem has been ongoing for quite some time!” the post said, adding that the American taxpayer expects the technology at the border to be operational.

The internal memo also indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for maintaining the cameras, but CBP is now considering replacing the FAA with a private contractor that can provide more reliable technical support for the system.

The report of surveillance failures comes as illegal immigration remains a hot-button issue in the 2024 presidential race. Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has supported a bipartisan immigration bill introduced earlier this year, which aims to reduce illegal crossings at the southern border. However, the bill still allows for at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants to enter the U.S. each year.