Chinese Signal Jammers Flood U.S. Despite Federal Ban, DHS Reports Sharp Surge in Smuggling

A dramatic rise in the smuggling of illegal signal jammers from China into the United States is drawing renewed attention from federal authorities. The Department of Homeland Security announced this week that seizures of these devices by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have soared by roughly 830% since 2021, prompting a nationwide warning about the threat they pose to public safety and critical infrastructure.

Signal jammers, which interfere with radio frequencies including those used by emergency services, law enforcement, and aviation, are prohibited for private use under federal law. Yet the devices are increasingly being used in criminal activity across the country. Officials report that illegal immigrants from South America have used them during burglaries and bank robberies to disable police communication systems. Recent incidents include a jammer seized during the arrest of a Chilean national in Texas this February and another used during a December 2024 burglary as police responded.

The Department of Homeland Security emphasized the national security implications of the surge, citing efforts by Chinese companies to evade inspection protocols. While the devices are also banned in China for civilian use, manufacturers appear to be finding pathways to smuggle them into the U.S. The federal government has pledged to continue intercepting these devices at ports of entry, in line with directives from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to bolster infrastructure protection and law enforcement support.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Department of Homeland Security press release

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