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Border Patrol Strategy: Progress and Challenges in Implementation and Assessment Efforts, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Acting Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"Border Patrol, within DHS's CBP [Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection], is the federal agency with primary responsibility for securing the national borders between the U.S. ports of entry (POE). DHS has completed a new '2012-2016 Border Patrol Strategic Plan' (2012-2016 Strategic Plan) that Border Patrol officials stated will emphasize risk management instead of increased resources to achieve border security and continue to build on the foundation of the 2004 'National Border Patrol Strategy' (2004 Strategy). This statement highlights key issues from prior GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports that discuss Border Patrol's progress and challenges in (1) implementing key elements of the 2004 Strategy and (2) achieving the 2004 strategic goal to gain operational control of the border. This statement is based on GAO reports issued since 2007 on border security, with selected updates from April and May 2012 on Border Patrol resource needs, actions taken to address prior GAO recommendations, and efforts to develop performance measures. To conduct these updates, GAO reviewed agency documents such as operational assessments and interviewed DHS officials. […] In prior reports, GAO made recommendations to, among other things, strengthen border security technology, infrastructure, and partnerships. DHS concurred with the recommendations and has reported actions planned or underway to address them. CBP reviewed a draft of information contained in this statement and provided comments that GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2012-05-08
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Border Security: DHS's Progress and Challenges in Securing U.S. Borders, Statement for the Record by Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Statement for the Record to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"At the end of fiscal year 2004, DHS had about 28,100 personnel assigned to patrol U.S. land borders and inspect travelers at air, land, and sea POEs [Points of Entry], at a cost of about $5.9 billion. At the end of fiscal year 2011, DHS had about 41,400 personnel assigned to air, land, and sea POEs and along the border, at a cost of about $11.8 billion. DHS has reported that this stronger enforcement presence was one of several reasons why fewer people were attempting to illegally cross the border. However, challenges remain in securing the border. In recent years, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported on a variety of DHS border security programs and operations. As requested, this statement addresses some of the key issues and recommendations GAO has made in the following areas: (1) DHS's efforts to secure the border at and between POEs; (2) DHS interagency coordination and oversight of border security information sharing and enforcement efforts; and (3) DHS management of infrastructure, technology, and other assets used to secure the border. This statement is based on prior products GAO issued from January 2008 through February 2013, along with selected updates conducted in February 2013. For the selected updates, GAO reviewed information from DHS on actions it has taken to address prior GAO recommendations. […] While this statement contains no new recommendations, GAO has previously made recommendations to DHS to enhance border security. DHS has generally concurred with these recommendations and has taken actions, or has actions planned or under way, to address them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2013-03-14
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Serial No. 115-72: Boots at the Border: Examining the National Guard Deployment to the Southwest Border, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, July 24, 2018
This is the July 24, 2018 hearing titled "Boots at the Border: Examining the National Guard Deployment to the Southwest Border," held before the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the opening statement of Martha McSally: "Today, our focus is on personnel and the capabilities at the border. Staffing shortages at both the ports of entry and in Border Patrol are exacerbated by both the hiring process that takes far too long and retention challenges that have persisted for years with no signs of abatement. CBP [Customs and Border Protection] is critically understaffed and remains well below its Congressionally-mandated staffing levels by more than 1,000 CBP officers and 1,900 Border Patrol agents. Combined with the growing crisis along the Southwest Border, this shortage has put our Nation's security at risk." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rodolfo Karisch, John F. Nichols, and Michael T. McGuire.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019
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Serial No. 113-3: What Does a Secure Border Look Like?: Hearing Before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, February 26, 2013
This is the February 26, 2013 hearing, "What Does a Secure Border Look Like?" before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the statement of Michael J. Fisher and Kevin McAleenan "We are here today to discuss what a secure border looks like. Some have suggested that it can be described in terms of linear miles of 'operational control,' a tactical term once used by the Border Patrol to allocate resources among sectors and stations along the border. We do not use this term as a measure of border security because the reality is that the condition of the border cannot be described by a single objective measure. It is not a measure of crime, because even the safest communities in America have some crime. It is not merely a measure of resources, because even the heaviest concentration of fencing, all weather roads, 24-hour lighting, surveillance systems, and Border Patrol Agents cannot seal the border completely. For border communities, a secure border means living free from fear in their towns and cities. It means an environment where businesses can conduct cross-border trade and flourish. For other American communities, it means enjoying the benefits of a well-managed border that facilitates the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Our efforts, combined with those of our international, federal, state, local, and tribal partners, have transformed the border and assist in continuing to keep our citizens safe, our country defendable from an attack, and promote economic prosperity." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael J. Fisher, Candice Miller, Kevin McAleenan, William Lee, Rebecca Gambler, and Marc R. Rosenblum.
United States. Government Printing Office
2013
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Serial No. 112-88: Measuring Border Security: U.S. Border Patrol's New Strategic Plan and the Path Forward, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2012
This is the May 8, 2012 hearing on "Measuring Border Security: U.S. Border Patrol's New Strategic Plan and the Path Forward," held before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "The Committee on Homeland Security, the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, will come to order. The subcommittee is meeting today to examine our Border Patrol's new strategic plan. We have a great lineup of witnesses today. But before we begin talking about our border, I think it is appropriate for this subcommittee to acknowledge the extraordinary professionalism and work that happened with the FBI and the CIA in regard to foiling this recent bombing plot that was happening in Yemen. I would say one thing that is very, very clear to all of us is that the war on terror is not over. We have so many enemies of freedom that are bent on attacking this Nation. I think, again, Americans can be comforted by the fact that we have such high vigilance and so many professional folks in all our agencies. We are going to hear from a number of them today. But they are working on the front lines each and every day to protect us, protect Americans against the enemies of freedom." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Henry Cuellar, Bennie G. Thompson, Michael J. Fisher, Rebecca Gambler, Marc R. Rosenblum, and Sheila Jackson Lee.
United States. Government Printing Office
2013
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Study in Contrasts: House and Senate Approaches to Border Security, Hearing Before Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, July 23, 2013
This is the July 23, 2013 hearing on "A Study in Contrasts: House and Senate Approaches to Border Security," held before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "Our nation is in the middle of a very robust debate on the best path to reform our broken immigration system. An essential part of that debate is how we secure the border, so that in 10 years or 15 years we do not need to debate again and again. We need to reduce the flow of people coming to this country illegally: this includes those who sneak across the border, across the desert, and those who overstay their visas. This is more than an immigration issue; it's a national security issue. We need to start by securing the southern border, but that is not the only that we have. All of our borders - our northern border, southern border and the maritime environment - are dynamic places, once we have secured a section of the border it is by no means secured forever. It can change. Without a nation-wide plan, the drug cartels and smugglers will continue to seek out the point of least resistance and succeed in coming into our country illegally by crossing our borders. The American people overwhelming agree that we need to secure the border -- they have spoken out many times about that. It is something that unfortunately we failed to do in 1986, and immigration reform, in my mind, will not happen without the public -- the American people -- having a high degree of confidence that their Government is committed to enforcing the nation's immigration laws and following through on our border security promises." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Sheila Jackson Lee, Michael T. McCaul, John Cornyn, Xavier Becerra, Jayson P. Ahern, Edward Alden, Beto O'Rourke, and Richard M. Stana.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
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Nonstate Actors and the Open Border Policy: The Border Security Case Study of Nepal and India
From the thesis abstract: "Both scholars and politicians continually debate how to best address border security issues. As events such as 9/11 have proven, even when states implement a restricted border policy, that action may not be enough. It is the nonstate actors--individuals or organizations with significant political influence but not allied to any particular country or state--that significantly impact border relations. To better secure a border, whether restricted or open, these nonstate state actors must be maintained. This research examines three central border security issues: how and which nonstate actors influence the security of state borders, and whether countries can make borders more secure. The analysis focuses specifically on the bordering states of India and Nepal, two countries engaged in open border policy for military and economic reasons that, at the same time, face issues such as of transnational crime organizations, economic disparities, and political tension. Two case studies, one of an open border and one of a restricted border, provide a framework for analysis and recommendation for the challenges that Nepal and India face. At conclusion of this research, findings proved that it is indeed nonstate actors that have the most impact on border security. Despite open or restricted border policies being implemented, nonstate actors, such as criminal organizations, existed in the framing case studies as well as the border of Nepal and India. How each state chose to address these security issues varied. The U.S.-Mexico case study showed a restricted border where the U.S. enforced more security while Mexico implemented programs to improve border activity. The open border between Poland and Germany also saw an increase in criminal activity but used minimized use of border security. For India and Nepal the tools of a decent and valuable border security team are available to both these countries, but need to be implemented to better protect an open border."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Forester, Andrea Blair Hernandez
2014-12
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Border Security: DHS Progress and Challenges in Securing the U.S. Southwest and Northern Borders, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, U.S. Senate
"As part of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) component, is to secure U.S borders against threats of terrorism; the smuggling of drugs, humans, and other contraband; and illegal migration. At the end of fiscal year 2010, DHS investments in border security had grown to $11.9 billion and included more than 40,000 personnel. To secure the border, DHS coordinates with federal, state, local, tribal, and Canadian partners. This testimony addresses DHS (1) capabilities to enforce security at or near the border, (2) interagency coordination and oversight of information sharing and enforcement efforts, and (3) management of technology programs. This testimony is based on related GAO [Government Accountability Office] work from 2007 to the present and selected updates made in February and March 2011. For the updates, GAO obtained information on CBP performance measures and interviewed relevant officials. GAO is not making any new recommendations in this testimony. However, GAO has previously made recommendations to DHS to strengthen border security, including enhancing measures to protect against the entry of terrorists, inadmissible aliens, and contraband; improving interagency coordination; and strengthening technology acquisition and deployment plans. DHS generally concurred with these recommendations and has actions underway or planned in response."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03-30
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Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan and its Impact on Border Security: Hearing Before U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, March 12, 2014
This is the compilation of the March 12, 2014 hearing on "The Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan" held before the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. Testimony from this hearing discusses topics including "the status of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) border security technology programs in Arizona" and the findings of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on DHS and CBP "efforts to develop and implement the Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice Miller, Mark Borkowski, and Rebecca Gambler.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2014-03-12
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Secure Border Initiative: Technology Deployment Delays Persist and the Impact of Border Fencing Has Not Been Assessed, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, September 17, 2009
This testimony from GAO Homeland Security Director Richard M. Stana addresses "the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Border Initiative (SBI) program-a multiyear, multibillion dollar program aimed at securing U.S. borders and reducing illegal immigration. Securing the nation's borders from illegal entry of aliens and contraband, including terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, continues to be a major challenge. […] My testimony is based on a report we are publicly releasing today that is the fourth in a series of interim reports on SBI implementation. My testimony will discuss the following key issues in our report: the extent to which CBP has implemented the SBInet technology program and the impact of any delays that have occurred, and the extent to which CBP has deployed the SBI tactical infrastructure program and assessed its results. Our full report also provides a status of SBI program office staffing and the progress the office reports in achieving its human capital goals. I will conclude with some observations regarding our recommendation and DHS's response."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Stana, Richard M.
2009-09-17
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Serial No. 114-25: Securing the Maritime Border: The Future of CBP Air and Marine, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, July 14, 2015
This is the July 14, 2015 hearing on "Securing the Maritime Border: The Future of CBP Air and Marine," held before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "From the Great Lakes to the coast of California to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Central American transit zones, the maritime security components of the Department of Homeland Security have a lot of sea to cover, and as a result, they must coordinate effectively, share intelligence to understand the threat, and smartly position resources to stop it. The need for maritime domain awareness or the ability to understand where illicit traffic is most likely to occur cannot be understated. Without this understanding, drugs will continue to transit the maritime corridors and migrants will make the perilous journey to this country. Radar coverage of the Great Lakes and other areas along the border is far from complete, which could allow low-flying aircraft, it does actually allow, low-flying aircraft and vessels to move drugs and other contraband with ease. Within Customs and Border Protection, CBP's Office of Air and Marine has a fleet of over 280 marine vessels and more than 250 aircraft, making it essentially the largest civilian law enforcement air force in the world. They have enormous responsibility to interdict drugs and migrants using the sea as a means to enter the country." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Randolph D. Alles and John Roth.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2016
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Border Security: CBP Lacks the Data Needed to Assess the FAST Program at U.S. Northern Border Ports, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] lacks data needed to assess whether FAST [Free and Secure Trade] program participants receive program benefits, but depending on the infrastructure available, CBP and 8 of 11 stakeholders GAO [Government Accountability Office] interviewed had generally favorable views of the program. CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) collects data on freight processing but does not differentiate between FAST and non-FAST shipments. Thus, it is difficult for CBP to determine the extent to which participants experience intended benefits. CBP officials stated that the ACE system needs to be modified to capture these data, but CBP has not yet set milestones to do so. Establishing milestones could help CBP ensure that modifications to ACE proceed as planned so that CBP is better positioned to begin collecting data. However, CBP does not have plans to conduct a study to determine if program benefits are being realized once these data have been captured. Conducting such a study would help CBP determine if the benefits are experienced by all FAST participants, and what program adjustments, if any, are needed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2010-07
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Testimony of Michael J. Fisher, Chief, United States Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Before House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, February 15, 2011
"As America's frontline border agency, CBP's [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] priority mission is to protect the American public,
while facilitating lawful travel and trade. To do this, CBP has deployed a multi-layered, risk-based
approach to enhance the security of our borders while facilitating the flow of lawful people
and goods entering the United States. This layered approach to security reduces our reliance on
any single point or program that could be compromised. It also extends our zone of security
outward, ensuring that our physical border is not the first or last line of defense, but one of many."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Fisher, Michael J.
2011-02-15
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Border Security: Assessment of the Department of Homeland Security's Border Security Improvement Plan [April 12, 2021]
From the Document: "Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for border security. It manages approximately 7,000 miles of land border and 95,000 miles of shoreline. CBP is also responsible for facilitating legitimate trade and travel through 328 land, air, and maritime ports of entry. Several offices within CBP help carry out this mission, including the U.S. Border Patrol (Border Patrol), Air and Marine Operations, and Office of Field Operations. The DHS Appropriations Act, 2017, required the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a risk-based plan for improving U.S. border security--referred to as the Border Security Improvement Plan--to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. [...] This report addresses the extent to which the 'Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Border Security Improvement Plan' (the 2019-2020 plan) includes the elements required by the DHS Appropriations Act, 2018, as referenced by the 2019 and 2020 appropriations acts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2021-04-12
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Southwest Border Security: Additional Actions Needed to Assess Resource Deployment and Progress, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"The southwest border continues to be vulnerable to cross-border illegal activity, with DHS apprehending over 331,000 illegal entrants, and making over 14,000 seizures of drugs in fiscal year 2015. DHS has employed a variety of resources to help secure the border, including personnel, technology -- such as cameras and sensors, tactical infrastructure -- such as fencing and roads, and air and marine assets. This statement discusses (1) DHS efforts to deploy resources on the southwest border and measure the effectiveness of these resources in securing the border, and (2) DHS efforts to develop performance goals and measures for achieving situational awareness and border security. This statement is based on GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports and testimonies issued from September 20 09 through May 2015, with selected updates through February 2016 on DHS enforcement efforts and actions to address prior GAO recommendations. To conduct the updates, GAO interviewed agency officials and reviewed related documentation. […] GAO previously made recommendations for DHS to, among other things, (1) strengthen its management of technology plans and programs and (2) establish milestones and time frames for the development of border security goals and measures. DHS generally agreed and has actions underway to address the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gambler, Rebecca
2016-03-01
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Serial No. 115-38: Looking North: Assessing the Current Threat at the U.S.-Canada Border, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, November 14, 2017
This is November 14, 2017 hearing on "Looking North: Assessing the Current Threat at the U.S.-Canada Border," held before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Martha McSally: "When Congress talks about border security, it is usually in reference to the Southwest Border where my community is. However, we cannot ignore the threats we face along the Northern Border. At almost 4,000 miles long, including a long, liquid border with the Great Lakes, our shared border with Canada is a situational awareness challenge that requires a much different strategy than that on the Southwest Border. To address these challenges, DHS needs to develop a coherent Northern Border strategy and implementation plan to protect our northern frontier. Last year, Congressman John Katko led Congressional efforts to pass the Northern Border Threat Analysis Act. This legislation required DHS to focus its attention on National security threats that originate along our Northern Border. The Department finally released a threat analysis this past summer with plans to release the full strategy in January 2018, and an implementation plan to follow that shortly thereafter. Threats identified in the Northern Border analysis include domestic Canadian terror plots and radicalized individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally. Similar to the Southern Border, transnational criminal organizations that control the bidirectional flow of illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, ecstasy, and marijuana, also pose a threat." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael Dougherty, Scott A. Luck, Kevin Kelly, and Michael Marchand.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Serial No. 115-23: Deter, Detect, and Interdict: Technology's Role in Securing the Border, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, July 25, 2017
This is the July 25, 2017 hearing on "Deter, Detect, and Interdict: Technology's Role in Securing the Border," held before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Martha McSally: "Border security is a complicated endeavor because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Thinking through what it will take to secure the border is the primary responsibility of the three agencies represented by our witnesses today. Border Patrol is our operational force between the ports of entry. CBP's [Customs and Border Protection] Office of Field Operations' job is to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while keeping a list of drugs and people from entering our country illegally at the ports of entry. [...] Those who aim to exploit our border for illicit purposes. Destructing that process by leveraging technology will help Customs and Border Protection better use the allocated funding to secure the border in the long term. So today I want to take a hard look at the role that technology plays in helping to predict, deter, detect, and finally interdict the illicit activity so prevalent along the Southwest Border." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Todd C. Owen, Scott A. Luck, Dennis J. Michelini, and Rebecca Gambler.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Protecting the Maritime Borders: Leveraging Law Enforcement Cooperation to Enhance Security Along America's Coasts, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, July 12, 2011
From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "The goal of this subcommittee has been to make sure that the Department of Homeland Security is adequately securing America's many, many miles of border. However, when we talk about border security, sometimes we don't think about our liquid borders that our Nation has. Our coasts obviously need to be secured just like the borders and the deserts of Arizona or across the Northern tier of our Nation as well. […] As this subcommittee moves forward, I think we need to try to zero in on the importance of maritime security for our Nation's economic well-being and the threats that are posed to the global supply chain that transits the goods and services that we depend on across our world's oceans and into our waterways. […] The Coast Guard is the lead agency for maritime security in America. Customs and Border Protection [CBP] ensures the integrity of the supply chains and enforces custom laws. […] It is certainly clear that CBP Air and Marine and the Coast Guard cannot secure our coastal borders without State and local law enforcement assistance. As with other aspects of border security, a team approach is required in the maritime domain. Local law enforcement agencies are necessary to keep our waterways secure. In a time of constrained budgets and limited resources, we just can't afford to have wasteful and duplicative efforts by different levels of government." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Henry Cuellar, Bennie G. Thompson, Michael C. Kostelnik, Paul F. Zukunft, Tim Donnellon, Adrian Garcia, Mike Rogers, Michael T. McCaul, Jeff Duncan, Benjamin Quayle, and Scott Rigell.
United States. Government Printing Office
2011
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Border Security: Assessment of the Department of Homeland Security's Border Security Improvement Plan
From the Document: "Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for border security. CBP manages approximately 7,000 miles of land border and 95,000 miles of shoreline. CBP is also responsible for managing the flow of trade and travel through 328 land, air, and maritime ports of entry. Several offices within CBP help carry out this mission, including the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and Office of Field Operations. The DHS Appropriations Act, 2018, required the Secretary of Homeland Security to concurrently submit to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Comptroller General a riskbased plan for improving security along the borders of the United States, including how CBP intends to use personnel, fencing, other forms of tactical infrastructure, and technology. The act requires us to evaluate this plan and report to the appropriations committees on the strengths and weaknesses of the plan not later than 120 days after receiving it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-16
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Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Management and Assess Effectiveness, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"I am pleased to be here today to discuss the findings from our March 2014 report, being released today, in which we assessed the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) efforts to develop and implement the Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan (the Plan). In recent years, nearly half of all annual apprehensions of illegal entrants along the southwest border with Mexico have occurred along the Arizona border, according to DHS data. A top priority for CBP is preventing, detecting, and apprehending illegal entrants. In November 2005, DHS announced the launch of the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a multiyear, multibillion-dollar program aimed at securing U.S. borders and reducing illegal immigration. CBP intended for the SBI Network (SBInet) to include technologies such as fixed sensor towers, a common operating picture, and tactical infrastructure to create a 'virtual fence' along the southwest border to enhance CBP's capability to detect, identify, classify, track, and respond to illegal breaches at and between land ports of entry. […] My testimony today is based on and summarizes the key findings of our report on the status of the Plan, which was publicly released today. Like the report, my statement will address CBP's efforts to (1) develop schedules and Life-cycle Cost Estimates for the Plan in accordance with best practices, (2) follow key aspects of DHS's acquisition management framework in managing the Plan's three highest-cost programs, and (3) assess the performance of technologies deployed under SBInet and identify mission benefits and develop performance metrics for surveillance technologies to be deployed under the Plan."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-03-12
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Maritime Security: Progress and Challenges in Key DHS Programs to Secure the Maritime Borders, Statement of Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"Maritime borders are gateways to our nation's maritime transportation system of ports, waterways, and vessels--which handle billions of dollars of cargo annually. An attack on this system could have dire consequences and affect the global economy. In addition, criminals could use small vessels to smuggle narcotics, aliens, and other contraband across U.S. maritime borders. Within DHS, the Coast Guard is responsible for many homeland security efforts in the maritime domain, including conducting port facility and commercial vessel inspections and coordinating maritime information-sharing efforts, among other things. In addition, CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] is responsible for screening incoming vessels' crews and cargo to facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and passengers. This testimony identifies key factors important to secure the maritime borders, and discusses progress and challenges in related DHS programs. This statement is based on products GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued from July 2003 through October 2013. GAO has made recommendations to DHS in prior reports to strengthen its maritime security programs. DHS generally concurred with these recommendations and has taken actions, or has actions under way, to address them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2013-11-19
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Border Patrol: Key Elements of New Strategic Plan Not Yet in Place to Inform Border Security Status and Resource Needs, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Within DHS [Department of Homeland Security], U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol has primary responsibility for securing the border between ports of entry, and reported that with its 18,500 agents it apprehended over 327,000 illegal entrants at the southwest border in fiscal year 2011. Across Border Patrol's nine southwest border sectors, most apprehensions occurred in the Tucson sector in Arizona. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how Border Patrol manages resources at the southwest border. This report examines (1) apprehension and other data Border Patrol collects to inform changes in border security for the southwest border and the Tucson sector, in particular; (2) how the Tucson sector compares with other sectors in scheduling agent deployment and to what extent data show that deployments have been effective; and (3) the extent to which Border Patrol has identified mechanisms to assess resource needs under its new strategic plan. GAO analyzed DHS documents and data from fiscal years 2006 to 2011, and interviewed officials in headquarters and five southwest border sectors selected based on cross-border illegal activity, among other things. Results cannot be generalized across the southwest border, but provided insights into Border Patrol operations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2012-12
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Does Administration Amnesty Harm Our Efforts to Gain and Maintain Operational Control of the Border, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, October 4, 2011
From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "Securing our Nation's border is certainly one of the principal responsibilities of the Federal Government, and it is foremost on this subcommittee's agenda. Over the last 9 months this year we have examined the concept of operational control at a number of our committee meetings, and really what it means in terms of how secure or how open our border actually is. As the Border Patrol points out correctly, we have a layered approach to border security that begins at the border, but it doesn't end at the border. Interior checkpoints, bus, and other transportation checks are also very valuable tools to reduce the number of illegal aliens that enter the country. The last line of defense, as we work to control the integrity of the border, is interior enforcement, and this hearing is intended to examine the impact of the administration's recent decision to more leniently apply prosecutorial discretion and how it will affect the Border Patrol's ability to gain and maintain operational control of the border. I am very concerned--I know others are, as well--that the message that this administration is sending will lead to strains on the Border Patrol's resources as potential illegal immigrants may surge across the border, making it much more difficult for the Border Patrol. What is troubling is that the administration has offered literally hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens administrative amnesty through a series of memos and letters. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have decided to review every single case in the removal pipeline to weed out noncriminals and criminal aliens who haven't committed the most serious crimes, and then indefinitely close and ignore those cases that don't meet that threshold." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Henry Cuellar, Bennie G. Thompson, Michael J. Fisher, Kumar C. Kibble, Ruth Ellen Wasem, and Sheila Jackson Lee.
United States. Government Printing Office
2012
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Serial No. 112-98: Border Security Threats to the Homeland: DHS' Response to Innovative Tactics and Techniques, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2012
This is the June 19, 2012 hearing on "Border Security Threats to the Homeland: DHS' Response to Innovative Tactics and Techniques," held before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "The Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border on Maritime Security will come to order. The subcommittee is meeting today to examine the Department of Homeland Security's response to border security threats. Our witnesses today are Donna Bucella, assistant commissioner of CBP's [Customs and Border Protection] Office of Intelligence and Investigation Liaison; James Dinkins, the executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations at U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement; Rear Admiral William Lee, deputy for operations policy and capabilities, from the United States Coast Guard; and Rear Admiral Charles Michel, director of the Joint Interagency Task Force--South. When it comes to securing our border the old military adage that no plan survives contact with the enemy is, or should be, at the forefront of our minds. As the Department of Homeland Security has increased its presence along the Southwest Border, drug cartels, human smugglers, and illegal aliens have adapted and improvised to defeat our security measures." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Henry Cuellar, Bennie G. Thompson, Donna A. Bucella, James A. Dinkins, William D. Lee, and Charles D. Michael.
United States. Government Printing Office
2013
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Serial No. 115-43: On the Line: Border Security from an Agent and Officer Perspective, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, January 9, 2018
This is the January 9, 2018 hearing On the Line: Border Security from an Agent and Officer Perspective, held before Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. From the opening statement of Representative Martha McSally: "Agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection work every single day to secure our Nation, often in rugged terrain, sometimes in very remote areas far away from the amenities of modern life. They are exposed to the blistering heat of the Arizona desert and the brutal cold in places like Havre, Montana. Working at the Nation's ports of entry, the men and women of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] are the driving force behind our border security operations. The Nation is fortunate they are willing to endure hardship to make sure the border is secure. Agents are willing to take significant risks on every single shift to ensure that cartels cannot smuggle drugs and dangerous individuals across our border or through our ports of entry with impunity. It is dangerous work, made more dangerous because agents are subject to frequent assaults. [...] The challenges for our agents and officers are significant, which is why I have called this hearing today. I think it will benefit the Members of the subcommittee to receive first-hand testimony from the line agents on the ground." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Brandon Judd, Jon Anfinsen, Rosemarie Pepperdine, and Anthony M. Reardon.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018
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Southwest Border: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Management and Assess Effectiveness of Land-based Surveillance Technology, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deploys land-based surveillance technologies to help monitor and secure the border and apprehend individuals who attempt to cross the border illegally. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported on the progress and challenges DHS and its components have faced implementing its border security efforts. This statement addresses (1) the status of CBP efforts to deploy land-based surveillance technologies along the southwest border and (2) CBP's efforts to measure the effectiveness of these technologies. This statement is based on GAO reports and testimonies from 2011 through 2016, selected updates conducted in 2017, and ongoing work for this subcommittee related to border surveillance technology. For ongoing work and updates, GAO analyzed technology program documents; interviewed DHS, CBP, and U.S. Border Patrol officials; and conducted site visits to Arizona and Texas to observe technologies. GAO has made recommendations to DHS to improve its management of plans and programs for surveillance technologies. DHS has generally agreed. DHS has taken actions or described planned actions to address some of these recommendations. GAO continues to believe that these recommendations could strengthen CBP's management efforts and will continue to monitor CBP's efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gambler, Rebecca
2017-07-25
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Serial No. 113-45: What Does a Secure Maritime Border Look Like? Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred and Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, November 19, 2013
This is from the November 19, 2013 hearing, "What Does a Secure Maritime Border Look Like?" before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the testimony of William D. Lee, "The U.S. maritime border is vast and challenging in its scope and diversity. It encompasses the expanse of our ports and internal waters, our Territorial Seas, Contiguous Zone and our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) out to 200 nautical miles from shore and beyond in some cases for Extended Continental Shelf Claims. Threats to our maritime border have the potential to adversely impact our national security and economic prosperity. These threats include illicit smuggling and trafficking activities conducted by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), undocumented migration, illegal exploitation of our natural resources, potential terrorist activities, and the disruption of maritime commerce. Securing our maritime borders requires a layered, multi-faceted approach of authorities, capabilities, competencies, and partnerships. To accomplish its mission, the Coast Guard optimizes the use of operational resources, leverages intelligence and maritime domain awareness programs, and fosters domestic and international partnerships. These activities deter, and disrupt threats as far from the United States as possible. The Coast Guard is at the forefront of securing the broad and varied expanse of ocean that makes up our maritime border while facilitating the smooth and efficient flow of legitimate maritime commerce and transportation. One of the most important aspects of the Coast Guard's layered security approach is to understand the movement of vessels, people and goods across our maritime borders. By combining security operations with effective governance such as vessel and cargo screening protocols, enforcing notice of arrival requirements and leveraging intelligence and information resources from across government, the Coast Guard facilitates the secure and efficient flow of commerce through our nation's waterways." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: William D. Lee, Randolph D. Alles, Steve Caldwell, and Marcus Woodring.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
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Secure Border Initiative: Observations on Selected Aspects of SBInet Program Implementation, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, and Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"In November 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a multiyear, multibillion dollar program to secure U.S. borders. One element of SBI is SBInet--the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program responsible for developing a comprehensive border protection system through a mix of security infrastructure (e.g., fencing), and surveillance and communication technologies (e.g., radars, sensors, cameras, and satellite phones). The House Committee on Homeland Security asked GAO to monitor DHS progress in implementing the SBInet program. This testimony provides GAO's observations on (1) SBInet technology implementation; (2) SBInet infrastructure implementation; (3) the extent to which CBP has determined the impact of SBInet technology and infrastructure on its workforce needs and operating procedures; and (4) how the CBP SBI Program Management Office (PMO) has defined its human capital goals and the progress it has made to achieve these goals. GAO's observations are based on analysis of DHS documentation, such as program schedules, contracts, status, and reports. GAO also conducted interviews with DHS officials and contractors, and visits to sites in the southwest border where SBInet deployment is underway. GAO performed the work from April 2007 through October 2007. DHS generally agreed with GAO's findings."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2007-10-24
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Serial No. 114-72: Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos, and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational Awareness and Operational Control, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 24, 2016
This testimony is from the May 24, 2016 hearing "Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos, and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational Awareness and Operational Control," held before the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the statement of Martha McSally: "The southwest border of the United States is home to nearly 2,000 miles of majestic, yet rugged and often treacherous terrain. Terrain that makes Border Patrol access, in some remote areas a near impossible proposition. Manpower alone, while essential, will never be enough to secure the border. In order to enhance situational awareness, we need to leverage technological force multipliers that provide persistent surveillance across wide swaths of remote areas along the border. Technologies such as cameras, night vision devices, motion sensors, and surveillance equipment, have become critical elements of our border security operations. These technologies have enhanced agent safety, provided constant monitoring of difficult to access areas, and extended situational awareness and the ability to interdict criminal activity. [...] Situational awareness is contingent on feeding information from centralized operations centers, far from the border, down to the individual agent level, so they can respond accordingly. Technology has to be focused on meeting the immediate needs of the agent and not stove piped in a command center." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ronald Vitiello, Randolph D. 'Tex' Alles, Mark Borkowski, and Rebecca Gambler.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2016-05-24
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Serial No. 115-17: Visa Overstays: A Gap in the Nation's Border Security, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 23, 2017
This is the May 23, 2017 hearing "Visa Overstays: A Gap in the Nation's Border Security" before the "House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Martha McSally. "The subcommittee is meeting today to examine visa overstays and their impact on National security. Conversations about the best way to secure the southern land border have been the principal focus of the media, Congress, and the administration for the last months. Today I want to transition to an equally important but often overlooked aspect of our border and National security, visa overstays. Yesterday DHS released the official fiscal year 2016 overstay numbers, and this year they expanded the number of visa overstay categories to include students and other non-immigrant visa holders. I want to commend DHS for producing a more accurate picture of the challenge, but the numbers are stark. CBP calculated that we had nearly 740,000 people overstay their visas at some point in fiscal year 2016. Even using CBP's more generous numbers that account for some of those overstays who eventually leave, albeit late, we had almost 630,000 overstays still in the country at the end of last fiscal year. Over more time, as more and more overstays left, the number gets smaller and by January of this year, we still had 544,000 overstays from fiscal year 2016 suspected of being in the country, still an incredibly large number. To put that number in context, we only apprehended 310,000 unique individuals crossing the land border illegally last year, meaning we had almost twice as many overstays as people apprehended at the land Southern Border. It is probably time to jettison the conventional wisdom that visa overstays make up about 40 percent of the illicit flow." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael Dougherty, John Wagner, Clark Settles, and John Roth.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
