For the first time in the USA, a new physical vehicle restraint system has been deployed on Interstate I-10 in Texas, designed to stop drivers attempting to evade inspection at high speed at a checkpoint.
This is about the Sierra Blanca checkpoint, one of the key inspection nodes in the western part of the state, where thousands of cars and trucks pass daily.
On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Border Patrol officially announced the testing and commissioning of a “first of its kind” barrier system, specifically created to prevent dangerous attempts to break through the checkpoint.
According to the CBP statement, the new technology should:
- enhance the safety of officers and civilians
- reduce the number of high-speed chases
- stop vehicles before they exit the control zone
The official press release is published on the agency's website:
CBP: Vehicle Barrier System Deployed at Sierra Blanca Checkpoint
The barrier system is named GRAB 350 and is developed by Global GRAB Technologies.
It combines several elements:
- retractable impact-absorbing barrier
- built-in tire damage mechanism
- remote control by trained personnel
The manufacturer describes the system as a “less-lethal” means designed to stop a vehicle without the use of firearms:
Global GRAB Technologies — GRAB 350
Big Bend Sector Chief, Agent Lloyd Easterling, emphasized that the goal of implementation is to prevent accidents and injuries:
“This is a fully operational system created to stop dangerous attempts to evade inspection and protect lives,” he stated on January 21, 2026.
Attempts to break through inspection points remain a serious issue, especially on major highways like I-10, where traffic includes a significant flow of commercial vehicles.
Local media note that the system could become a model for deployment at other checkpoints across the country if the tests prove successful.
Additional details on the cost and certification of the barrier are provided by KVIA News:
Border Patrol Unveils New Barrier System at Sierra Blanca
Currently, the system is only installed at Sierra Blanca, but the Border Patrol is considering expanding the program.
If the technology proves effective, similar barriers may appear at other key inspection points in the USA in the coming years.
For truck drivers, this means one thing: control at checkpoints is becoming not only stricter but also more technological — with an emphasis on preventing dangerous situations on the road.