The U.S. government will begin flying unmanned aircraft along the Mexican border in East Texas on Wednesday.
The flights will be used to locate illegal immigrants and drug smugglers.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says this is a major step in combating illegal border activity.
“And I will tell you that what we are seeing today is the most serious approach to border enforcement that I have seen in my career," Napolitano said. "The President has directed an unprecedented number of resources to the border to combat the illegal movement of drugs, illegal weapons, illegal bulk cash and the illegal movement of people.”
Previously, the aircraft had been used from El Centro through west Texas. The change will extend the reach of drone surveillance to the entire stretch of the border.
Three drones currently patrol the southern border and the government plans to increase the fleet to six by the beginning of next year.