WESLACO – U.S. Border Patrol is testing new technology to help decrease costs and continue securing the border.

Border Patrol met with Rio Grande Valley Congressman Henry Cuellar for a round table meeting on border security Monday morning.

They're looking for a way to reduce taxpayer costs for aerostats. Aerostats are equipped with military grade surveillance cameras with infrared surveillance capability.

Cuellar said Valley taxpayers are paying millions of dollars for the technology.

“But for those six aerostats in the Valley we’re paying $35 million on operations. So get $35 million, divided by six and that gives you how much of them cost. It’s too much money,” said Cuellar.

Border Patrol is working with a smaller aerostat called the “WASP.”

Cuellar added the aerostat has the same capabilities and is expected to be cheaper.