WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has approved flight operations by an unmanned aerial vehicle to patrol a section of the U.S.-Mexico border between the El Paso region and Arizona.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, said the Federal Aviation Administration had approved a certification of authorization to permit the flights beginning June 1.

Cuellar, who has been pushing for the operations, is chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over border issues.

“This is the first of two steps in getting unmanned aircraft vehicles approved to patrol the entire Texas-Mexico border,” he said. “This is very good news for Texas as we seek to provide additional security measures along the Rio Grande in light of escalated border violence.”

McCaul said the use of drones is “a major step forward in securing our border with Mexico,” adding they will “allow us to patrol areas that are difficult to access on the ground in the Big Bend region.”

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, called the decision “an important step forward,” but said much remains to be done.

McCaul, Cuellar and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, vowed to keep the heat on.

“The American people are terribly upset, scared, and angry with the federal government, and they don’t understand why we aren’t doing more.” Cornyn said. “I will continue pressing the FAA to allow these Predator patrols to expand to the rest of the Texas border, and pursue additional ways to enhance our border security.”