Customs and Border Protection

The United States Border Patrol has a mission and duty to protect our borders through regulating laws and preventing illegal terrorists, drugs, and weapons from entering the United States. This has been a clear goal ever since laws have been passed to help secure our borders back in 1924. The need for Border Patrol and the demand for tighter security plans have been increasing due to terrorist attacks on American soil, the presence of radical groups, and a high rate of crime in the United States. The big idea here is that as crime continues to develop so will our border securities. I would like to primarily focus on the current role of the Border Patrol versus what it might have been in years past. Many tragedies have occurred in recent times more than what was experienced years ago. The United States has suffered throughout the year 2000 and continues to suffer from severe threats to the nation. It only makes sense to make changes and tighten our borders in order to help prevent the ongoing crimes. If the Border Patrol does this than the individuals living in this nation will live in a better and much safer environment. Along with their current role, the research on the Border Patrol’s changes that either have hindered their work or made them more effective will be looked into as well.

Customs and Border Patrol have the authority to carry out searches on any vehicle, beast, person or container for cargo that is subject to U.S. duties, or whose importation is outlawed. Customs and Border Patrol agents are also authorized to search Aliens for contraband and have arresting authority. (Kim 2009, 5)

Just as the various other bureaucratic agencies within the United States government serve specific purposes, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, does as well. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose headquarters is in Washington, D.C., was formed in 2003, the result of a merger between the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Customs Service. ICE has many sub-departments dedicated to immigration control, smuggling and trafficking investigation, and terrorism

The United States Border Patrol is a police force located all over America. Most people think the only job Border Patrol has is chasing down immigrants due to the media coverage on the Mexican border. Although it is a big part of the job it is not the only thing done. The main position for agents is in Mexico, another main location is Canada. Between the two locations 21,000 agents patrol 6,000 miles. (Department of Homeland Security, n.d.) The Border Patrol’s keeps illegal people, drugs, and weapons of mass destruction from entering our country. Another major responsibility is to prevent terrorist from trying to cross the border. In order to prevent this from happening Border Patrol have check points with man power alert at all times. Equipped with the best equipment from the government they stop virtually everything crossing. I along with most of the country feel that this is a very important job in the United States.

The U.S Border Patrol’s main job is to prevent terrorists, weapons, and illegal aliens from entering the U.S. without identification. They want to make sure that the nation is safe from crimes and attacks that can happen from the South American or Canadian borderline. Border patrollers want to detect and prevent illegal human trafficking, drugs, or species that will cause harm to the country. They have to work day and night to protect their country from harmful people or items.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, immigration control and national homeland security have been issues of concern for both the national government and private citizens. In the wake of the attacks, a lot of articles were written about what the appropriate response should be to prevent another attack. In 2004, Mark Krikorian wrote an article for the Providence Journal entitled “Safety through Immigration Control” in which he contends that the only means to keep America safe from a follow-up attack is to strengthen and enforce immigration law to prevent terrorists from being able to enter the country. Edwidge Danticat, writing for The Nation in 2005, provides a juxtaposition to Krikorian’s stance in her essay “Not Your Homeland”, in which she describes her witnessing of the inhumane conditions many immigrants are forced to endure in the name of increased security to protect the country. She questions whether the added protections are worth the human cost we are paying by treating immigrants and refugees as guilty until proven innocent. At the crossroads of these two perspectives lies the question: what is the proper balance between national security and the humane treatment of immigrants?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection also known as CBP is one of the largest and most complex agencies with the Department of Homeland Security. They have many duties and responsibilities to do to protect the United States of America. They

The Department of Customs and Border Patrol has control over almost all of the illegal immigration policy (IIP) in the united states although the Coast Guard and a few other agencies have control over their own type of illegal immigration policy. According to cbp.gov, “ Since its inception in 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol has had a proud history of service to our nation.” Although more and more people cross or attempt to cross the border the U.S Border Patrol tries to make an effort to stop and

Border Patrol and U.S. CustomsBoth Border Patrol and U.S. Customs work together under the same agency, and worktowards the same goal, yet they perform their duty tasks differently. Protecting the nationsborders from drug smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism is not an easy task to perform.Border Patrol agents and U.S. Customs officers perform this risky task on the front line of ourcountry by putting their lives in danger on a daily basis. Although Border Patrol (BP), and U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) differ in work location, and work duties they also sharevarious similarities in pay, benefits, and outcome.The officers working as CBP and agentsworking as BP risk their lives at their work of duty, and they both work towards the

By placing the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), immigration is considered a national security issue by default. Whether or not the issue is treated seriously is up for debate, as the situation constantly is an issue in media and in political campaigns. However, border fences have been increased as well and the amount of agents with CBP (Andreas, 2009).

The U.S. Border Patrol started its service for our nation in 1924. Even though some changes have affected every aspect of the operations from its early days, the values, professionalism, honor, integrity, and respect helped shape the Border Patrol from the early years and they still remain the same today. Since the very beginning agents have been patrolling our borders, “Mounted watchmen of the U.S. Immigration Service patrolled the border in an effort to prevent illegal crossings as early as 1904” (Border Patrol History, web). The agent’s efforts were undertaken only when resources permitted. The inspectors were all out of El Paso, Texas, “Though they never totaled more than seventy-five, they patrolled as far west as California trying to restrict the flow of illegal Chinese immigration” (Border Patrol History, web).

United States Border Patrol has been around since 1904 enforcing and regulating laws under the immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. border patrol is now under the Department of Homeland Security, which was created as a response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Over the years, their jurisdiction and missions have changed to better protect the safety of nation. Although border patrol is a need for any nation, their extensive acceptations to constitutional laws can often be taken advantage of. The mission of the U.S. border patrol should be to prevent illegal aliens, which are a threat to American society, from reaching their purpose. Frequently, their purpose can be confused or executed in a bias manner.

U.S Customs and Border Protection has also been in charge in keeping terrorist and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S laws (Peak, 2009, Pg. 164). Consequently, immigrants have been victims of human trafficking. According to Larry K. Gaines from the textbook Criminal Justice in Action, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has played an important role in focusing the nation’s borders. Their mission is to detain illegal aliens and deport them to their country, and disrupting trafficking operations. In 2008, ICE removed about

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) is one of the oldest law enforcement entities in the U.S., and has a rich history of protecting our borders. A historical overview and understanding of the U.S. Customs origins displays how over the centuries the strategic mission of the CBP has evolved to combat threats of specific time eras. U.S. Customs has grown from collecting of revenue during the 1800s to fighting the War on Drugs, and well into the 21st century where combating terrorism would be yet another mission undertaken by CBP. Without a doubt, the U.S. Customs Service has played an active role in the protection of the nation’s borders against terrorism, criminal drug lords, and even the violation of intellectual property theft.

The purpose of this paper is to define and give as much detail information about Homeland Security in the United States and law enforcement and how they are integrated. I hope after reading this paper you will be well informed on the duties and responsibilities of these agencies. People have always lived in fear but with the help of these agencies we will no longer have to live in fear. I will try to give as much detail information as possible to help with any problems or situation that might come up. Homeland Security in the United States and law enforcement have extensive research skills and knowledge in serving and protecting citizens and other important groups and agencies. Homeland