Copy 1 of 1
Unit: CESWD / CESPD
Loc: Dallas, TX / San Francisco, CA
DTG: 6 June 2017
OPERATIONS ORDER: TF Southwest Border 17-XX (Operation Southwest Border)
Annex R – Strategic Communications
1. Background
Executive Order 13767 Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, signed 25
January 2017 Trump, calls to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the
southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete
operational control. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requested USACE to assist in
the planning, design, and construction of border infrastructure to support CBP in its mission to
achieve operational control of the border. This interagency support mission has been accepted
by Headquarters USACE and may require support from across the USACE enterprise. The
USACE Program Management Office (PMO) Border Infrastructure is located in Fort Worth
District, but is a direct report to the Commander, Southwestern Division.
2. Reference
a.

Department of Defense Principles of Information – 9 Nov 2001

b. AR 360-1, Army Public Affairs Program
3. Purpose
The purpose of the Strategic Communication Plan is to define communication roles and
responsibilities of USACE Commands and Offices, communication protocols and frequency
required to deliver all requirements in support of the mission.
4. Project Communications Partners
a. USACE – PMO Border Infrastructure and USACE public affairs offices located at:
HQ-USACE, SWD, South Pacific Division (SPD), SWF, Galveston District (SWG), Los Angeles
District (SPL), Albuquerque District (SPA) and Sacramento District (SPK).
b. CBP – PMO Border Patrol Air & Marine and CBP Office of Public Affairs
c. Other cooperating Federal agency public affairs offices – Department of Justice,
U.S. Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, Bureau of Land Management, U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S Forest
Service and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
5. Communication Management
a. Two-way communication and transparency is a cornerstone to success and customer
satisfaction. PMO Border Infrastructure is responsible for creating standard operating
procedures for communication and a joint communication plan with PMO BPAM.
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 b. External communications responsibilities. As the lead agency, CBP is the public
voice of this important national security mission and will take the public communications
lead. PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will take the external public communications
lead role within USACE. Working with the PMO BPAM, PMO Border Infrastructure Public
Affairs will be a public voice whenever USACE has a unique operational lead in a program
task. These unique responsibilities are outlined in Appendices 1 to 4 below.
c. Outreach communication to stakeholders outside the program. The PMO BPAM
and its Outreach & Communications IPT will be responsible for coordinating this effort with
PMO Border Infrastructure’s support.
d. USACE communications pathways. Both vertical and horizontal communication is
to be encouraged. Vertical communication originating at PMO Border Infrastructure Public
Affairs is through SWD Public Affairs Office (PAO) for all significant actions. SWD PAO is
responsible for the communications pathway both to SPD PAO and to HQUSACE PAO.
Horizontal communication will flow from PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs to HQUSACE, SWD, SPD, SWF, SWG, SPL, SPA and SPK. Interagency horizontal public affairs
communications will flow between PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs and PMO
BPAM Communications Team.
e. Unitary voice. PMO Border Infrastructure and PMO BPAM will work together to
ensure that all mission messaging is timely, accurate, consistent, uses the same terminology
and works in partnership to respond to all media queries. Communications products, such as
Public Affairs Guidance, will be jointly prepared as part of the media planning in advance of
all major milestones.
f. Message discipline. All USACE staff and contractors should be kept informed of the
overall mission. Where possible, the “Corps story” should also be told. At the same time, no
employee or contractor should talk to the public or media about the mission. In the field, only
the CBP Office of Public Affairs or a Border Patrol agent can speak about the mission to the
public or media. Media questions can also be referred to the PMO Border Infrastructure
public affairs.
6. Communications awareness
a. Intense media scrutiny. This is a controversial project generating great public interest.
This is also a fast-paced program where unexpected developments can be expected. These
communications challenges will be met promptly and communicated up and down the
USACE organizational chain and shared with our CBP partners immediately. There is no
such thing as too much communication. You cannot partner halfway.
b. Safety. Hazards in the border construction zone are a real concern. This may arise from
intruders/illegal entrants/smugglers but also from protests. Some protests could target
USACE offices distant from the border, particularly those associated with Command, control,
and support of this mission. Social media can mobilize opposition protests on short notice
and intensify opposition. Security requires rapid communications in the field and up the
chain of supervision.
c. Personal conduct. USACE employees need to be mindful to protect the image of the
Army and to demand professional conduct from ourselves and others. It is a 24/7 concern.

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 d. Risk Communications. Even though CBP provides the public voice for this mission,
USACE leaders and key individuals that can be expected to come into contact with the public
incidentally while performing work related to this mission should be aware of risk
communications and public participation principles.
7. Key Messages
Durable base messaging for use in public contacts. USACE employees and contractors
do not speak for the program – CBP does – but the following is suitable in explaining the
program and our supporting role whenever asked.
(1) Executive Order 13767, Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
Improvements, calls for the immediate planning, design and construction of a physical
wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology, to achieve
complete operational control of the border. CBP’s strategy to operationally control the
border includes three components: adequate law enforcement personnel, technology and
tactical infrastructure. These three measures together deter, detect, and apprehend
unauthorized aliens. Tactical infrastructure includes walls, fencing, roads, lights and
cameras.
(2) The USACE has a 20-year history of providing interagency support to Customs and
Border Protection, and its predecessor agencies, in executing its border security mission.
(3) CBP is currently defining the requirements for additional tactical infrastructure
required to comply with Executive Order 13767 and appropriations by Congress. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared to perform planning, design, engineering, real
estate acquisition, contract acquisition, and construction as requested by Customs and
Border Protection.

Appendix 1: Real Estate Communications Plan
To provide communications guidelines and reporting paths for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
employees and private contractors engaged in real estate activities in support of the Border
Infrastructure Program.
General Background
Ref: Key Messages / Durable Base Messaging for use in public contracts in Annex R above.
The Border Infrastructure Program is controversial and has drawn public opposition. Because of
the especially sensitive nature of real estate work, all USACE employees and contractors must
understand and adopt communications restrictions. All USACE employees and their
representatives must conduct themselves in the field in a way that preserves and enhances the
Army’s reputation with the public. Any activities that may lead to real estate acquisition may be
strongly opposed by landowners who do not want to sell and do not want government
representatives on their land. The government may have to utilize eminent domain to acquire
some tracts. Litigation can be expected.
Adhering to the guidelines and restrictions below will help ensure project success.
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 Fundamental Communications Principles: RESTRICTIONS
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Officials of the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border
Protection and the Border Patrol, are the sole “face and spokespersons” for the Border
Infrastructure Program.
Do not talk to the media, period. Refer all media queries to DHS/CBP/Border Patrol
officials as indicated below.
Never offer opinions about the Border Infrastructure Program to anybody.
In the course of your work in the field, discuss your activities only with those with whom
you must work. Do not volunteer additional information about the program.

Fundamental Communications Principles: WHAT YOU CAN SAY
If you are asked about the program, you may use the following statement.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is executing this important national security project for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security along the international border at the direction of the
Administration and as funded by Congress. DHS officials within U.S. Customs and Border
Protection are the sole spokespersons for this program.”
All USACE employees and contractors in the field should carry a “business card” that includes
the statement above and provides referral information to others who are authorized to speak.
Communications pathways
PMO BPAM has the lead in outreach communication planning for every major real estate action.
PMO Border Infrastructure Real Estate and Public Affairs have a supporting role.
CBP Office of Public Affairs has the public communications lead and full release authority on
the real estate effort. Any exceptions will be agreed to in collaboration between the PMO Border
Infrastructure and PMO BPAM communications teams.
CBP Office of Public Affairs and Department of Justice Public Affairs will have the lead on all
media queries regarding eminent domain, land acquisition and litigation over real estate in this
Border Infrastructure Program.
BPAM PMO, Border Patrol and PMO Border Infrastructure Real Estate will collaborate on joint
landholder outreach actions, either in one-on-one or larger town hall-style landowner information
meetings for this program. Border Infrastructure Public Affairs has a supporting role and help
CBP Office of Public Affairs for their media guidance planning. Separate joint CBP/USACE
Public Affairs Guidance will be provided prior to engagement with landholders based on the
nature of the real estate interest being acquired for the project and the forum in which the
landholder will be contacted.
PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs is responsible for providing timely advance notice for
all major real estate actions to USACE Headquarters as well as border program Division and
District Public Affairs Offices (SWD, SPD, SPK, SPL, SPA, SWF and SWG).
***
Examples of public interaction: Q&A
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 Q1: If a member of the media approaches you with questions about the Border Infrastructure
Program, what do you say?
A1: USACE and contractor personnel should never speak to the media on behalf of the program,
or provide information or opinions. Refer all inquiries to any Customs and Border Protection
officer of Border Patrol agent. If none are present, here are alternatives you can provide, have
them contact CBPmediarelations@DHS.gov, or 202-344-1780.
Q2: If a private individual approaches you with questions about the Border Infrastructure
Program, what do you say?
A2: You are not a spokesman for the program, but you can provide very general information about the
overall Border Infrastructure Program outlined in the short, approved statement above. If the individual
is necessary to the performance of your task, you can also talk about your specific task. FOR ALL
OTHER QUESTIONS, refer the individual to a Customs and Border Protection officer of Border
Patrol agent. If none are present, refer them to www.cbp.gov, 877-227-5511.
Q3: If an individual asks you what you are doing in the courthouse today, what do you say?
A3: “I am doing real estate title reviews for a government client.” If asked further the contractor
or USACE personnel may also disclose that they are working for or on behalf of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.

Appendix 2: Acquisition Communications Plan
To inform external stakeholders and the general public with appropriate information regarding
how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using its contracting authority to support Department
of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection mission goals for Executive Order 13767
of 25 Jan 2017: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements.
General Background
Ref: Key Messages / Durable Base Messaging for use in public contracts in Annex R above.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers utilizes a wide variety of tools including military and civilian
personnel and private contractors. The Army supports vigorous competition to ensure value for the
government. Competition is further heightened by providing opportunities to small business to
develop and join the broad base of suppliers that strengthen our nation’s economic development.
The Army is committed to using small businesses and often leads the federal government in total
contract dollars awarded to them each year.
Communications pathways
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security are the
leads on all media inquiries about the border infrastructure program. However, certain tasks,
such as acquisition, may be delegated within narrow lanes for PMO Border Infrastructure Public
affairs to answer. All overall mission questions, including specifics of where and when border
infrastructure will be built, remains with CBP Public Affairs. These lanes will be clearly
delineated in advance in full collaboration with PMO BPAM.

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 PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will have the lead in generating, communicating and
executing public affairs actions. For the most critical actions, that pathway is through
Southwestern Division Public Affairs Office (PAO), which is responsible for SPL and HQUSACE PAO as appropriate. Horizontal communication will flow from PMO Border
Infrastructure Public Affairs to HQ-USACE, SWD, SPD, SWF, SWG, SPL, SPA and SPK.
Interagency horizontal public affairs communications will flow between PMO Border
Infrastructure Public Affairs and PMO BPAM Communications Team.
Communications Action Milestones
Step-by-step communications actions. USACE acquisition actions may generate media queries.
1. Advance preparation:
a. 10 days before any action, notify PMO BPAM Communications Team and
coordinate.
b. 10 days before, PMO BPAM and PMO Border Infrastructure Communications
Teams should delineate clear USACE and CBP Public Affairs lanes for the
announcement. These must be clearly understood and with a unity of messaging.
c. 10 days before announcement, PMO Border Infrastructure public affairs specialist
begins working with PMO Border Infrastructure team members to prepare a
Public Affairs Guidance (PAG) sheet. This PAG will guide both CBP and USACE
communications. It should explain the action. It should emphasize key messages.
It should provide a Q&A to address expected questions. This guidance should be
shared with SWD PAO Chief. The PAO Chief will share with SPD and HQUSACE PAOs as appropriate.
d. PMO Border Infrastructure should consider whether any particular announcement
is appropriate as a short news release. This can be an opportunity to tell the Corps
story and should only be done in full collaboration with PMO BPAM and written
well in advance.
e. At least two working days in advance, provide PMO BPAM with a copy of the
draft announcement text and Public Affairs Guidance sheet. [Contract awards
text will be left incomplete without names and dollar amount.] PMO Border
Infrastructure Public Affairs will notify all PAO chiefs in SWD, SPD, SPK, SPL,
SPA, SWF and SWG that the announcement is imminent. Provide PAOs guidance
by including CBP media contact information and/or PMO Border Infrastructure
Public Affairs contact information.
2. Announcement day:
a. Notify BPAM Communications Team and all PAOs in HQUSACE, SWD, SPD,
SPK, SPL, SPA, SWF and SWG the announcement has been made with any
additional details as appropriate (such as details of a contract award).
b. Include the announcement with regular internal communications with USACE
staff.
c. Other internal USACE communication: Command and Program / Project
Management notifications will be performed by the PMO Border Infrastructure
d. Post a news release, if one has been authorized.

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 Appendix 3: Construction Communications Plan
To provide communications guidelines and reporting paths for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
employees and private contractors engaged in construction and construction-related field
activities in support of the Border Infrastructure Program.
General Background
Ref: Key Messages / Durable Base Messaging for use in public contracts in Annex R above.
The Border Infrastructure Program is controversial and has drawn public opposition. Because
construction and pre-construction activities take place in public view, all USACE employees and
contractors must understand and adopt communications restrictions. All USACE employees and
their representatives must conduct themselves in the field in a way that preserves and enhances
the Army’s reputation with the public.
Construction can include a wide variety of actions including border wall, levee walls, border
fence, Border Patrol roads, border access roads, border lights, border gates, border drainage,
enforcement zones and other repairs and alterations. Construction-related activities can also
include such field work as surveys, geotech drilling, mapping and best practices/environmental
monitoring.
Construction activities may occur in close proximity to private property boundaries that may not
always be accurate or may not be acknowledged as accurate by landowners in the immediate
vicinity of the activity site.
Adhering to the guidelines and restrictions below will help ensure project success.
Fundamental Communications Principles: RESTRICTIONS





Officials of the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border
Protection and the Border Patrol, are the sole “face and spokespersons” for the Border
Infrastructure Program.
Do not talk to the media, period. Refer all media queries to DHS/CBP/Border Patrol
officials as indicated below.
Never offer opinions about the Border Infrastructure Program to anybody.
In the course of your work in the field, discuss your activities only with those with whom
you must work. Do not volunteer additional information about the program.

Fundamental Communications Principles: WHAT YOU CAN SAY
If you are asked about the program, you may use the following statement.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is executing this important national security project for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security along the international border at the direction of the
Administration and as funded by Congress. DHS officials within U.S. Customs and Border
Protection are the sole spokespersons for this program.”
All USACE employees and contractors in the field should carry a “business card” that includes
the statement above and provides referral information to others who are authorized to speak.
Communications pathways
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 PMO BPAM has the lead in outreach communication planning for most construction milestones.
PMO Border Infrastructure including Public Affairs will have a supporting role.
CBP Office of Public Affairs has the public communications lead and full release authority on
the construction mission and many of its supporting components. Any exceptions will be agreed
to in collaboration between the PMO Border Infrastructure and PMO BPAM communications
teams.
PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs is responsible for providing timely advance notice for
all major construction and construction-related actions to USACE Headquarters as well as border
program Division and District Public Affairs Offices (SWD, SPD, SPK, SPL, SPA, SWF and
SWG).
Great care in the field needs to be taken to handle any questions raised by private landowners
where these construction activities take place. Those queries should be referred to immediately to
appropriate members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversight team including the area
engineer, resident engineer, contracting officer’s representative, subject matter expert or other
USACE on-site construction supervisor, in addition to the supporting team of construction
contractors, architect/engineers and other service contractors.
Communications Actions
The two PMO Communication Teams will initiate planning for every major USACE
construction/construction-related (field) action at least 10 days in advance. At this early stage,
PMO Border Infrastructure and PMO BPAM will decide which agency is the communications lead.
The communications teams from the two partnering PMOs will jointly prepare communications
products, such as Public Affairs Guidance, as part of the planning process before every major
construction-related milestone.
***
Examples of public interaction: Q&A
Q1: If a member of the media approaches me with questions about the Border Infrastructure
Program, what do you say?
A1: USACE and contractor personnel should never speak to the media on behalf of the program,
or provide information or opinions. Refer all inquiries to any Customs and Border Protection
officer of Border Patrol agent. If none are present, here are alternatives you can provide, have
them contact CBPmediarelations@DHS.gov, or 202-344-1780.
Q2: If a private individual approaches me with questions about the Border Infrastructure
Program, what do you say?
A2: You are not a spokesman for the program, but you can provide very general information about the
overall Border Infrastructure Program outlined in the short, approved statement above. If the individual
is necessary to the performance of your task, you can also talk about your specific task. FOR ALL
OTHER QUESTIONS, refer the individual to a Customs and Border Protection officer of Border
Patrol agent. If none are present, refer them to www.cbp.gov, 877-227-5511.
Q3: If an individual asks you what you are doing at the field construction site today, what
do you say?
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 A3: “I am working in the field on a government project.” If asked further, the contractor or
USACE personnel may also disclose that they are working for or on behalf of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.

Appendix 4: Public Affairs Communications Protocol
To inform external stakeholders and the general public with appropriate information and
transparency regarding how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supports Department of
Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection mission goals for Executive Order 13767 of
25 Jan 2017: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security are the
leads on all media inquiries about the border infrastructure program. However, certain tasks,
such as acquisition, real estate and construction, may be delegated within narrow lanes for PMO
Border Infrastructure Public Affairs to answer. All overall mission questions, including specifics
of where and when border infrastructure will be built, remains with CBP Office of Public Affairs
(OPA). These lanes will be clearly delineated in advance in full collaboration with both PMO
Border Patrol and Air and Marine (BPAM) and CBP OPA.
General Background:
Ref: Key Messages / Durable Base Messaging for use in public contracts in Annex R above.
Communications pathways:
a. PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will have the USACE lead in handling any
public or media queries on the border infrastructure program.
b. It will also communicate directly and often with the PMO BPAM and CBP Office of
Public Affairs (OPA). PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will also report on a
weekly basis its media contacts to SWD Public Affairs Office (PAO) or report
immediately if it is a significant issue. SWD PAO is responsible for communications
to SPL PAO and HQ-USACE PAO.
c. PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will also be provided regular access to
information streams such as regular PMO Border Infrastructure/PMO BPAM
telecoms, access to FITT and to any other database important to be responsive to
routine interagency PMO requests and to media queries.
d. PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs will support internal efforts to educate all
USACE employees and contractors to never to speak to the public or media about the
Border Infrastructure Program. They should refer any public or media queries in the
field to any Border Patrol Agent, CBP Officer or the CBP Office of Public Affairs.
They may also refer any query to PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs.
e. Media queries received by any district or division PAO should either be referred to
CBP Office of Public Affairs or to PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs.
Media query handling step by step
1. Upon receipt of a media query, PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs finds out what
the reporter seeks. In most cases, the reporter will be referred to CBP OPA at
CBPMediaRelations@cbp.dhs.gov. Most questions should not be answered by USACE.
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 2. Immediately send a summary of the query to the PMO BPAM Communications Team
and to the individual CBP OPA representative assigned as liaison to this team for
communications awareness.
3. Report the query to SWD PAO (immediately, if it is particularly important; or later as part
of routine weekly reporting of media contacts). As needed, share the summary with PMO
Border Infrastructure if there is a need for communications awareness.
4. If the query fits into the narrow lane to be answered by USACE, share any verbal
response in a summary shared after the fact to PMO BPAM Communications Team and
CBP OPA liaison. If it is a written response, share it in advance with these interagency
counterparts and SWD PAO to ensure common messaging, consistency and accuracy.
5. Communicate consistently as appropriate with PMO Border Infrastructure or PMO
BPAM. The two PMOs should never be surprised.

Special case queries
In some cases, the CBP OPA may reach back to PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs for
assistance. This may require gathering information to feed to CBP OPA for release. Or it may be
collaboratively agreed that PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs be the release authority for
the information. If it is the latter, share the intended response in advance with the PMO Border
Infrastructure, SWD PAO, PMO BPAM Communications Team and CBP OPA liaison to ensure
common messaging, consistency and accuracy.
Any requests for speakers at public events/meetings should be referred to PMO BPAM.
FOIA assistance
PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs may be called upon by any USACE Office of Counsel
to act as a liaison to help gather necessary responses or assist in finding requested information.
When possible, PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs should share new USACE FOIA
requests with appropriate PMO BPAM contacts. Our interagency front-line counterparts
appreciate this communications awareness.
FOIA requests to CBP/DHS, many of which can be from the media, may require assistance from
PMO Border Infrastructure Public Affairs. Common messaging and facts for public release is
enhanced when communications sharing is proactive by PMO BPAM and PMO Border
Infrastructure Communications Teams.

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