1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Remote Areas Border Security Enhancements Act . 2. Defined term In this Act, the term rural or remote area means an area within the United States along the international border between the United States and Mexico that is not within an area defined and designated by the Bureau of the Census as an urbanized area. 3. Border security enhancements in mountainous, high desert, and backcountry terrain (a) In general Notwithstanding section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 ( 8 U.S.C. 1103 note; Public Law 104–208 ), the Secretary of Homeland Security may not begin the construction of any infrastructure project (including a pedestrian fence, vehicle barrier, levee, gate, wall, fence, road, or port of entry) along the international border between the United States and Mexico until— (1) the Comptroller General of the United States conducts a study that evaluates the need for enhanced technology and maintenance on existing equipment and other resources in rural or remote areas, prioritizing mountainous, high desert, and backcountry areas, including the estimated costs for carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2); and (2) the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (A) increases the use of advanced detection and surveillance technology; (B) acquires fixed and mobile technology assets, including night vision technology; (C) increases and improves interoperable communications; (D) acquires and deploys such additional horses and off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, as may be necessary to provide for enhanced security in rural or remote areas near the international border between the United States and Mexico; (E) increases and upgrades facilities to the extent necessary to accommodate personnel and asset needs, including horse patrol facilities