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• Serial No. 113-77: Border Security Oversight, Part III: Border Crossing Cards and B1/B2 Visas, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, November 14, 2013

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  This is the November 14, 2013 hearing, "Border Security Oversight Part III (3): Border Crossing Cards and B1/B2 Visas" held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. From the opening statement of Jason Chaffetz: "Today's proceedings are the third in a series of hearings designed to assess U.S. border security efforts, as well as challenges in obtaining operational control, particularly of the Southwest border. [...] B1 and B2 cards are non-immigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business, a B1; tourism, pleasure, or visiting, a B2; or combination of both purposes, often referred to as a B1/B2. According to the Department of State, more than 5.3 million B1/ B2 non-immigrant visas were issued in the fiscal year 2012. [...] In 2008, the State Department issued 3.5 million B1/B2 visas, representing an approximate 55 percent increase in the issuance of these visas from 2008 to 2012. Likewise, the State Department issued 1.3 million border crossing cards in fiscal year 2013, continuing to issue millions of border crossing cards over the last three years. [...] Border crossing cards are only issued to applicants who are citizens and residents of Mexico and 'must demonstrate that they have ties to Mexico to compel them to return after a temporary stay in the United States.' Today I am interested in learning what the standard is for determining what types of ties are considered strong enough to qualify for a border crossing card." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jason Chaffetz, John Wagner, John P. Woods, Edward J. Ramotowski, and Juan Osuna.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Strengthening the Border - Finding the Right Mix of Personnel, Infrastructure, and Technology, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, March 15, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Candice S. Miller: "This hearing determines and tries to build on that discussion by examining the three main pillars that allow Border Patrol agents to be effective. That, of course, is a combination of personnel, infrastructure, and technology. I think we certainly need all three to be successful in securing our borders. The Department of Homeland Security's Analysis of Alternatives, which formed a new technology plan for the State of Arizona, consists of a combination of Remote Video Surveillance Systems, Mobile Surveillance Systems, Unattended Ground Sensors and other types of technology. The backbone of the Arizona plan actually consists of Integrated Fixed Towers, which look very similar to the original design of SBInet. However, it now appears that the technology plan for the entire Southwest border currently being prepared will not be ready until July instead of March, as we had originally hoped. I am concerned about the lack of a comprehensive technology plan as well for the Northern border, which does not appear to be something that CBP is considering at this time. I just would once again, and I always say that I am totally cognizant and very sensitive to all of the challenges that are happening on the Southern border of our Nation, but I like to remind folks we actually have two borders, so the Northern border as well. Both of them need to be secured." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Candice S. Miller, Henry Cuellar, Bennie G. Thompson, Michael J. Fisher, Mark Borkowski, Michael C. Kostelnik, General Hugo Salazar, and Richard M. Stana.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Alien Smuggling: DHS Could Better Address Alien Smuggling along the Southwest Border by Leveraging Investigative Resources and Measuring Program Performance, 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

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  "My testimony is based on a May 2010 report we are releasing publicly today on alien smuggling along the southwest border. As requested, like the report, my testimony will discuss the following key issues: (1) the amount of investigative effort OI [Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Investigations] has devoted to alien smuggling along the southwest border since fiscal year 2005 and an opportunity for ICE to use its investigative resources more effectively; (2) DHS [Department of Homeland Security] progress in seizing assets related to alien smuggling since fiscal year 2005 and financial investigative techniques that could be applied along the southwest border to target and seize the monetary assets of smuggling organizations; and (3) the extent to which ICE/OI [Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Office of Investigations] and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] measure progress toward achieving alien smuggling-related program objectives. Our May 2010 report also provides a discussion of the extent to which ICE/OI and CBP have program objectives related to alien smuggling."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2010-07-22
• Border Security: Understanding Threats at U.S. Borders [February 21, 2013]

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  "The United States confronts a wide array of threats at U.S. borders, ranging from terrorists who may have weapons of mass destruction, to transnational criminals smuggling drugs or counterfeit goods, to unauthorized migrants intending to live and work in the United States. Given this diversity of threats, how may Congress and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set border security priorities and allocate scarce enforcement resources? In general, DHS's answer to this question is organized around risk management, a process that involves risk assessment and the allocation of resources based on a cost-benefit analysis. This report focuses on the first part of this process by identifying border threats and describing a framework for understanding risks at U.S. borders. DHS employs models to classify threats as relatively high- or low-risk for certain planning and budgeting exercises and to implement certain border security programs. Members of Congress may wish to use similar models to evaluate the costs and benefits of potential border security policies and to allocate border enforcement resources. This report discusses some of the issues involved in modeling border-related threats. Understanding border risks begins with identifying key threats. At their roots, border-related threats are closely linked to the flow of people (travelers) and goods (cargo) from one country to another. Any smuggled item or individual hidden among the legitimate flows potentially constitutes a threat to U.S. security or interests."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rosenblum, Marc R.; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Finklea, Kristin M.

  2013-02-21
• Border Security: Infrastructure, Technology, and the Human Element Part I and II: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, February 13, 2007 and March 8, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Loretta Sanchez "The subcommittee is meeting today to receive testimony on border security, infrastructure, technology and the human element. And I want to begin by thanking the witnesses, Chief Aguilar and Rear Admiral David Pekoske, who are joining us today at this important hearing on border security, infrastructure, technology and the human element. This is the first hearing in the Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism Terrorism Subcommittee, and I hope today's discussion will be the first of many useful discussions between this committee and the department. And I look forward to a very productive Congress this year. One of the top issues that this subcommittee will focus on is border security. And today, we have the opportunity to explore broadly the challenges we face in securing our borders and the ways in which infrastructure, technology and personnel can be used to secure our country. To begin with, I am interested in discussing the diversity of the issues that we face on the northern, the southern and the coastal borders, and how Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard work independently and how you work jointly to get this done." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Loretta Sanchez, Mark E. Souder, Bennie G. Thompson, Gus M. Bilirakis, Henry Cuellar, Al Green, Jane Harman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Zoe Lofgren, David V. Aguilar, David Pekoske, Jeffrey Scott McIllwain, Michael O'Hanlon, Andrew M. Ramirez and Michael Wermuth.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Border Security: Progress and Challenges in DHS Implementation and Assessment Efforts, Statement of Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on National Security, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives

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  "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 [Ports of Entry], with a total security 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 borders, with a total security cost of about $11.8 billion. DHS has reported that these resources have contributed to stronger enforcement efforts on the border. However, challenges remain to secure 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 March 2013, along with selected updates conducted in April 2013. For selected updates, GAO reviewed DHS information on actions it has taken to address prior GAO recommendations. […] In prior reports, GAO made recommendations to DHS to strengthen its border security programs and efforts. DHS generally concurred and has taken actions, or has actions planned or underway to address them."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2013-06-27
• Secure Border Initiative: Technology Deployment Delays Persist and the Impact of Border Fencing Has Not Been Assessed, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Within DHS, U.S. Custom and Border Protection's (CBP) SBI [Secure Border Initiative] program is responsible for developing a comprehensive border protection system using technology, known as SBInet, and tactical infrastructure-fencing, roads, and lighting. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to provide periodic updates on the status of the program. This report addresses the extent to which CBP has implemented SBInet and the impact of delays that have occurred, and the extent to which CBP has deployed tactical infrastructure and assessed its results. To do this work, GAO reviewed program schedules, status reports, and previous GAO work; interviewed DHS and CBP officials, among others; and visited three SBI sites where initial technology or fencing had been deployed at the time of GAO's review. […] SBInet technology capabilities have not yet been deployed and delays require Border Patrol, a CBP component, to rely on existing technology for securing the border, rather than using newer technology planned to overcome the existing technology's limitations. Flaws found in testing and concerns about the impact of placing towers and access roads in environmentally sensitive locations caused delays. As of September 2006, SBInet technology deployment for the southwest border was planned to be complete by early fiscal year 2009. When last reported in February 2009, the completion date had slipped to 2016. As a result of such delays, Border Patrol agents continue to use existing technology that has limitations, such as performance shortfalls and maintenance issues."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2009-09-09
• Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol [Updated October 14, 2004]

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  "The United States Border Patrol (USBP) has a long and storied history as our nation's first line of defense against unauthorized migration. Today, the USBP's primary mission is to detect and prevent the entry of illegal aliens into the country, assist in the detection of possible terrorists, and interdict drug smugglers and other criminals. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 dissolved the Immigration and Naturalization Service and placed the USBP within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Within DHS, the USBP forms a part of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. In the course of discharging its duties, the USBP patrols 8,000 miles of American international borders with Mexico and Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico. However, there are significant geographic, political, and immigration-related differences between the Northern border with Canada and the Southwest border with Mexico. Accordingly, the USBP deploys a different mix of personnel and resources along the two borders. Due to the fact that over 97% of unauthorized migrant apprehensions occur along the Southwest border, the USBP deploys over 90% of its agents there to deter illegal immigration. The Border Safety initiative and the Arizona Border Control initiative are both focused on the Southwest border. This report will be updated as circumstances warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nunez-Neto, Blas

  2004-10-14
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection Report to Congress on Ongoing DHS Initiatives to Improve Security Along the U.S. Northern Border

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  "The international boundary with Canada extends 3,987 miles across both land and water, and it is often described as the largest open border in the world. It separates two friendly nations with a long history of social, cultural, and economic ties that have contributed to a high volume of crossborder trade and travel. Almost all of Canada's major metropolitan areas are located on or near the international boundary. In fact, 90 percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the border. While legal trade is predominant, there are networks of illicit criminal activity and smuggling of drugs, currency, people, and weapons between the two countries. The long, porous nature of the U.S. Northern Border provides a multitude of opportunities for clandestine and undocumented crossings. The primary threat along the Northern Border is the potential for extremists and their conveyances to enter the United States undetected. The challenge of securing U.S. land, air, and sea borders is vast and complex, and involves the ongoing work of multiple Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components, as well as other Federal, State, local, tribal, and international efforts. While this report focuses primarily on the efforts and initiatives of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which serves as our homeland's frontline border agency, the enforcement efforts of United States Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also play a vital role in DHS's efforts to protect the United States against threats to our border."

  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

  2008
• CBP Faces Challenges in Achieving Its Goals for Small Business Participation in Secure Border Initiative Network

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  "We conducted this audit to determine whether Secure Border Initiative Network contracting strategies will provide access to small business for the term of the contract. Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.702 requires agencies to provide maximum practicable opportunity in their contracts to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, and small businesses located in designated historically underdeveloped 'HUBZone' areas. Customs and Border Protection [CBP] faces challenges in meeting small business subcontracting goals for the remainder of the Secure Border Initiative Network indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. A change in Customs and Border Protection's acquisition strategy from acquiring technology to acquiring steel for border fence construction reduced opportunities for small business to participate in awards under the Secure Border Initiative Network indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. In response, the prime contractor Boeing, has implemented initiatives to improve small business participation in Secure Border Initiative Network subcontracts to achieve its subcontracting goals. Despite these initiatives, the contractor has not achieved the established goals for small business participation since the reporting period ended September 2007. We recommended that Customs and Border Protection continue monitoring Boeing's efforts to identify and recruit small business in order to achieve established small business goals in the Secure Border Initiative Network indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. Customs and Border Protection non-concurred with the recommendation."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2010-02
• Improving Security and Facilitating Commerce at America's Northern Border and Ports Of Entry, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, May 17, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Charles E. Schumer: "Today's hearing is on improving security and facilitating commerce at our northern border and ports of entry. Last August, along with Senator Kyl, I passed a $600 million supplemental border bill that fortified the southern border. But after we addressed the southern border, the Government Accountability Office issued a report indicating that, 'Only 32 of the nearly 400 northern border miles in fiscal year 2010 had reached an acceptable level of security.' Upon reading that report, I asked Commissioner Bersin and Director Morton, the heads of the two major agencies who are responsible for border security to testify here today on how we can improve security at our northern border." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles Schumer, Patrick J. Leahy, Charles Grassley, John Cornyn, Alan Bersin, John Morton, Nelson Balido, Richard Cortez, Colleen M. Kelley, Addie J. Russell, and Monica Weisberg-Stewart.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Serial No. 108-73; 108-4: Improving Security and Facilitating Commerce at the Northern Border: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform and the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, May 19, 2003

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  This hearing addresses the issue of border security between the United States and Canada. Although the U.S./Canadian border shows less illegal activity than the southern border of Mexico, the nature of illegal activity along the northern border is of particular concern. Cross-border smuggling, particularly of drugs legal in Canada but illegal in the U.S. such as marijuana and pseudoephedrine, the potential ties of smugglers to Middle Eastern terrorist groups, and the potential for terrorists to sneak through the northern border are all addressed at this hearing. Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas A. Beilein, Dave Camp, Michael D'Ambrosio, Russell Deveso, Kevin Feely, Paul M. Gugg, Dawn Hamilton, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Derek Lee, John Maloney, Stephen Mayer, Peter Moran, Jack Quinn, Luke Rich, Loretta Sanchez, Louise Slaughter, Peter J. Smith, John E. Sweeney, William Walker.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2004
• H. Rept. 116-217: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2203) to Increase Transparency, Accountability, and Community Engagement Within the Department of Homeland Security, Provide Independent Oversight of Border Security Activities, Improve Training for Agents and Officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for Other Purposes; Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 3525) to Amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to Direct the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Establish Uniform Processes for Medical Screening of Individuals Interdicted Between Ports of Entry, and for Other Purposes; Providing for Consideration of the Resolution (H. Res. 576) Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives with Respect to the Whistleblower Complaint of August 12, 2019, Made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; and for Other Purposes, Report to Accompany H. Res. 577, September 24, 2019

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  From the Document: "The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2203, the Homeland Security Improvement Act, under a closed rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 116-27, modified by the amendment printed in this report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3525, the U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act, under a closed rule."

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2019-09-24
• Impact of Land Border Security on Terrorism Financing: Turkey's Southeast Land Border and the PKK

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  From the thesis abstract: "Terrorism has become the one of the major threats facing many states. Understanding the potential sources of and preventing the financial support of terrorist organizations takes an important place in countering terrorism. This thesis focuses on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) financing activities through the land border of Turkey. In doing so, this study mainly examines how the Turkish border security system can stop the trans-border financial activities of PKK along its land borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria. This thesis also takes the U.S. as a case study in terms of border security measures, and within that framework, makes recommendations for safeguarding Turkey's land borders to prevent financial activities of the PKK terrorist organization without affecting free trade and the economic flow of services. Presently, the Turkish border security system is fragmented and poorly coordinated. Border management is currently split between the army, gendarmerie, police and coast guard. Moreover, international and interdepartmental collaborations are extremely limited. The prevention of cross-border financial activities of the PKK might be accomplished by forming an independent border security agency, adopting modern international standards and the latest technological innovations, and sustaining international and interdepartmental cooperation."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Eren, Yunus

  2013-12
• Border Security: Barriers Along the U.S. International Border [Updated May 13, 2008]

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  This CRS report addresses Border Security and the "Barriers Along the U.S. International Border." More specifically, the report provides background information on the creation of barriers along the border in San Diego. The report also provides insight into Congressional involvement on the issue of "border barriers." "The United States Border Patrol [USBP] deploys fencing, which aims to impede the illegal entry of individuals, and vehicle barriers, which aim to impede the illegal entry of vehicles (but not individuals) along the border. The report also talks about the pros and cons of the border fence. "While the San Diego fence, combined with an increase in agents and other resources in the USBP's San Diego sector, has proven effective in reducing the number of apprehensions made in that sector, there is considerable evidence that the flow of illegal immigration has adapted to this enforcement posture and has shifted to the more remote areas of the Arizona desert. In addition to border fencing, the USBP deploys both permanent and temporary vehicle barriers to the border. Temporary vehicle barriers are typically chained together and can be moved to different locations at the USBP's discretion. Permanent vehicle barriers are embedded in the ground and are meant to remain in one location." The topic of Border Security continues to call for Congressional involvement in the future. "A number of policy issues concerning border barriers generally and fencing specifically may be of interest to Congress, including, but not limited, to their effectiveness, costs versus benefits, location, design, environmental impact, potential diplomatic ramifications, and the costs of acquiring the land needed for construction."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nunez-Neto, Blas; Kim, Yule

  2008-05-13
• Role of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Border Security: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, July 15, 2010

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  From the opening statement: "We meet here today at a critical juncture at our Nation's border and homeland security. As 21st Century threats evolve, our country is facing new challenges that demand new solutions. At our northern and our southern border, we have taken critical steps to interdict the flow of illegal weapons, people, drugs, and cash. Since 2007, Congress has continued to increase border security funding. As a result, we have doubled the number of border patrol agents from 10,000 in 2004 to over 20,000 today. Still, our Nation's communities along our borders and coastal waters face a unique exposure to threats. To mitigate those risks, we have to deploy a combination of manpower, knowledge, and resources to strengthen our strategy for securing our borders. Unmanned aerial system and a remotely pilot aircraft, known as the UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] , or the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, is a relative new means for providing real-time intelligence to combat illegal activity along our borders." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Henry Cuellar, Candice S. Miller, Bennie G. Thompson, Michael C. Kostelnik, Vincent B. Atkins, Nancy Kalinowski, John M. Allen, and John M. Allen.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar and Acting Director of Detention and Removal Operations John Torres at an Operational Briefing on the Secure Border Initiative [February 9, 2006]

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  This briefing reviews the Secure Border Initiative, how it has progressed, things that the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol are pleased with, and things that need improvement. The President's Fiscal Year '07 Budget underscores the President's commitment to securing the borders and that involves not only apprehensions at the border, but detention, removal, and more vigorous worksite enforcement. The Budget, as a whole, reflects a six percent increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security and a 36 percent increase in gross discretionary funding for DHS since 2003. More particularly, as it relates to the issue of the border, we're proposing to add over $458 million to add 1500 additional border patrol agents in Fiscal Year '07.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  Chertoff, Michael, 1953-; Aguilar, David V.; Torres, John

  2006-02-09
• Protecting the Homeland: Building a Layered and Coordinated Approach to Border Security: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, June 15, 2004

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  From the opening statement of Dave Camp: "Today's hearing is on Protecting the Homeland: Building a Layered and Coordinated Approach to Border Security. This hearing will examine the level of cooperation within the Department of Homeland Security in preventing terrorists and others from entering the United States illegally. Today, we will hear from two panels. Panel I is Mr. Victor Cerda, Senior Adviser to the Assistant Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security; and Mr. David Aguilar, Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief, Bureau of Customers and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. Panel II is Dr. James Carafano, Senior Research Fellow for Defense and Homeland Security at the Heritage Foundation; Mr. Randel K. Johnson, Vice President for Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Mr. T.J. Bonner, President of the National Border Patrol Council, AFL-CIO; and Mr. Sergio Ugazio, Secretary for the National INS Council Local 1944 of the American Federation of Government Employees." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Loretta Sanchez, Jim Turner, Norman D. Dicks, Jennifer Dunn, Kay Granger, Sheila Jackson-Lee, John B. Shadegg, Mark E. Souder, David Aguilar, Victor X. Cerda, T.J. Bonner, James Carafano, Randel K. Johnson, and Sergio Ugazio.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Border Security: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen CBP Efforts to Mitigate Risk of Employee Corruption and Misconduct, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] - a component within the Department of Homeland Security - is responsible for securing U.S. borders and facilitating legal travel and trade. Drug-trafficking and other transnational criminal organizations are seeking to target CBP employees with bribes to facilitate the illicit transport of drugs, aliens, and other contraband across the southwest U.S. border, in particular. CBP IA [Internal Affairs] is responsible for promoting the integrity of CBP's workforce, programs, and operations; and CBP components implement integrity initiatives. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review CBP's efforts to ensure the integrity of its workforce. This report examines (1) data on arrests of and allegations against CBP employees for corruption or misconduct, (2) CBP's implementation of integrity-related controls, and (3) CBP's strategy for its integrity programs. GAO analyzed arrest and allegation data since fiscal year 2005 and 2006, respectively, reviewed integrity-related policies and procedures, and interviewed CBP officials in headquarters and at four locations along the southwest border selected for geographic location, among other factors. […] GAO recommends that CBP, among other things, track and maintain data on sources of information used to determine which applicants are unsuitable for hire, assess the feasibility of expanding the polygraph program to incumbent officers and agents, consistently conduct quality assurance reviews, and set timelines for completing and implementing a comprehensive integrity strategy. DHS [Department of Homeland Security] concurred and reported taking steps to address the recommendations."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2012-12
• Border Security and the Southwest Border: Background, Legislation, and Issues [September 28, 2005]

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  From the Document: "Border security has emerged as an area of public concern, particularly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Although recent public concerns pertaining to border security may be attributed to the threat of potential terrorists coming into the country, past concerns that centered around drug and human smuggling and the illegal entry of migrants remain important issues. As Congress passes legislation to enhance border security (e.g., P.L. 109-13) and the Administration puts into place procedures to tighten border enforcement, concerns over terrorists exploiting the porous southwest border continue to grow. The U.S. border with Mexico is some 2,000 miles long, with more than 800,000 people arriving from Mexico daily and more than 4 million commercial crossings annually. The United States and Mexico are linked together in various ways, including through trade, investment, migration, tourism, environment, and familial relationships. Mexico is the second most important trading partner of the United States and this trade is critical to many U.S. industries and border communities. In an effort to facilitate the legitimate flow of travel and trade, the governments of the United States and Mexico signed the U.S.-Mexico Border Partnership agreement. The agreement was accompanied by a 22-point action plan that included several immigration and customs-related border security items."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seghetti, Lisa M.; Brooks, Nathan; Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  2005-09-28
• Challenges at the Border: Examining the Causes, Consequences, and Responses to the Rise in Apprehensions at the Southern Border, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, July 9, 2014

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  This hearing is testimony from the July 9, 2014 hearing on "Challenges at the Border: Examining the Causes, Consequences, and Responses to the Rise in Apprehensions at the Southern Border" held before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. From the opening statement of Thomas R. Carper: "Over the past decade, we have made significant progress in securing our borders. Since 2003, for example, we have spent $223 billion dollars to enforce our immigration laws, more than doubling the size of the Border Patrol along the way. We have also built 670 miles of fencing and have deployed force multipliers such as high-tech cameras, radars, and drones up and down the border. In 2006--just eight years ago--the Border Patrol apprehended more than a million people at the border. Last year, we stopped just over 420,000. […] Although overall migration is still at historic lows, we now face a large surge in undocumented immigration from Central America--including unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied children and families showing up at the border. […] Let me be clear: these children and families are not slipping past our borders undetected. They are being apprehended in large numbers by the Border Patrol almost as soon as they touch U.S. soil, often turning themselves in voluntarily. People from Central America, unlike Mexico, must be flown back to their countries. This is a costly process that can take months or even years. This process is even more complicated for unaccompanied children and families, because our laws appropriately require different treatment for these groups. Children must be handed over to the Department of Health and Human Services, and families must be detained in special facilities that include educational opportunities for the children." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Coburn, W. Craig Fugate, R. Gil Kerlikowske, Thomas S. Winkowski, Mark H. Greenberg, Francisco Palmieri, and Juan P. Osuna.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

  2014-07-09
• Keeping the Border Secure: Examining Potential Threats Posed by Cross-Border Trucking, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, June 19, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Sheila Jackson Lee: "The vulnerability created by allowing foreign carriers to operate freely in the U.S. cannot be overstated. Increasingly, foreign terrorist organizations are getting a foothold in Latin America and exploiting our porous border with Canada to gain entry into the United States. [...] It is well-known that once inside a truck, regardless of what materials he or she may be carrying, a terrorist will have many tools available to him to harm Americans. We need to understand what methods TSA and CBP are putting in place to ensure that, when our borders are finally open to foreign carriers in a large way, we have a process to find out who they are, what they are carrying and where they are going. We want to make sure that we have all of the information so that we have a productive opportunity for the exchange that we are used to, as it relates to people and goods. It is important that we do so. As we do this, we will be able to address the larger question of the relationships between our borders and those on our borders." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sheila Jackson Lee, Daniel E. Lungren, Henry Cuellar, Peter A. DeFazio, Nita M. Lowey, Ginny Brown-Waite, Bill Arrington, Greg Olsavsky, Stephen Russell, Raul G. Salinas, and Gregg M. Ward.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Impacts of Trump Policies on Border Communities, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, April 30, 2019

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  This is the April 30, 2019 hearing titled "The Impacts of Trump Policies on Border Communities," held before the House Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Kathleen M. Rice: "Earlier this month, I led a delegation to the U.S.-Mexico border to examine the reality of President Trump's increasingly restrictive border security and immigration policies. While in El Paso, our delegation was briefed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on their current border operations. We also toured the El Paso ICE Processing Center, where hundreds of migrants are currently being held. In addition, we had the opportunity to visit the pedestrian-only Paso del Norte Port of Entry and the cargo-only Bridge of the Americas, where hundreds of millions of dollars in goods pass through every day." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jon Barela, Efren Olivares, Mark Seitz, and Mark D. Napier.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2019
• Department of Homeland Security U. S. Coast Guard Statement of Captain Patrick W. Brennan On 'National Security Implications of Border Security Along the Northern Border' Before the Armed Services Committee U. S. House of Representatives, August 01, 2006

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  In his statement to the Committee, Captain Brennan commented that everyday, thousands of people try to enter our country illegally, many to work and provide a better life for their families. After all, in their home countries, they make only a fraction of what they could make in the United States. Our strong economy creates the demand for these workers, places tremendous pressure at the border and makes our job of securing the border, both at and between the ports of entry, very difficult. To most effectively secure the border, we must reform our immigration system to relieve this pressure. We need comprehensive immigration reform that increases border security, establishes a robust interior enforcement program, creates a temporary worker program, and addresses the problem of the estimated 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country.

  United States. Coast Guard

  Brennan, Patrick

  2006-08-01
• Southwest Border Security: Data Are Limited and Concerns Vary About Spillover Crime Along the Southwest Border, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "Drug-related homicides have dramatically increased in recent years in Mexico along the nearly 2,000-mile border it shares with the United States. U.S. federal, state, and local officials have stated that the prospect of crime, including violence, spilling over from Mexico into the southwestern United States is a concern. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review crime rates and assess information on spillover crime along the border. Specifically, this report addresses: (1) What information do reported crime rates in southwest border communities provide on spillover crime and what do they show? (2) What efforts, if any, have federal, state, and select local law enforcement agencies made to track spillover crime along the southwest border? (3) What concerns, if any, do these agencies have about spillover crime? (4) What steps, if any, have these agencies taken to address spillover crime? GAO analyzed crime data from all of the 24 southwest border counties from 2004 through 2011 and federal documentation, such as threat assessments and DHS's plans for addressing violence along the southwest border. GAO interviewed officials from DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and DOJ [Department of Justice] and their components. GAO also interviewed officials from 37 state and local law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating and tracking crime in the border counties in the four southwest border states (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas). While the results of the interviews are not generalizable, they provided insights. GAO is not making any recommendations. DHS provided comments, which highlighted border-related crime initiatives recognized by GAO."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2013-02
• Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol [August 11, 2010]

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  "The United States Border Patrol (USBP) has a long and storied history as our nation's first line of defense against unauthorized migration. Today, the USBP's primary mission is to detect and prevent the entry of terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and illegal aliens into the country, and to interdict drug smugglers and other criminals along the border. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 dissolved the Immigration and Naturalization Service and placed the USBP within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Within DHS, the USBP forms a part of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. During the last decade, the USBP has seen its budget and manpower more than triple. This expansion was the direct result of congressional concerns about illegal immigration and the agency's adoption of 'Prevention Through Deterrence' as its chief operational strategy in 1994. The strategy called for placing USBP resources and manpower directly at the areas of greatest illegal immigration in order to detect, deter, and apprehend aliens attempting to cross the border between official points of entry. Post 9/11, the USBP refocused its strategy on preventing the entry of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, as laid out in its recently released National Strategy. In addition to a workforce of over 20,000 agents, the USBP deploys vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, and many different technologies to defend the border. In the course of discharging its duties, the USBP patrols 8,000 miles of American international borders with Mexico and Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico. However, there are significant geographic, political, and immigration-related differences between the northern border with Canada and the Southwest border with Mexico."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Haddal, Chad C.

  2010-08-11
• Border Security Metrics Between Ports of Entry [February 16, 2016]

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  From the Document: "Understanding the risks present at the U.S. borders and developing methods to measure border security are key challenges for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Border Patrol, the agency within DHS charged with securing the border between ports of entry. Metrics for border security are used at both the strategic level, by DHS, and at the operational level by Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol). This report reviews DHS's and the Border Patrol's use of metrics in evaluating their objective to secure the border between ports of entry. DHS and the Border Patrol can use metrics to measure their performance and estimate risks at the border. Additionally, metrics provide Congress with an understanding of DHS's and Border Patrol's progress in securing the border. At a strategic level, DHS uses performance metrics to understand its ability to meet border security objectives. However, DHS has struggled to create a comprehensive measure of border security. Most recently, DHS has labored to create a new generation of performance metrics, through the estimation of unauthorized entry of migrants into the United States. This measure represents the volume of migration entering the United States and can be influenced by factors outside of DHS's control, and therefore may not directly speak on border security. Congress may want to consider whether this is an adequate performance metric for border security and whether additional and/or more comprehensive and targeted metrics are required."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Argueta, Carla N.

  2016-02-16
• Serial No. 114-18: The Outer Ring of Border Security: DHS's International Security Programs: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, June 2, 2015

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  This is the June 2, 2015 hearing on "The Outer Ring of Border Security: DHS's International Security Programs," held before the House Committee on Border and Maritime Security. From the opening statement of Candice Miller: "Today the DHS has a large footprint overseas with more than 1,800 people stationed in 77 foreign countries across the globe. I certainly understand that the posting of DHS personnel overseas is a cumbersome process with significant costs. In many cases, it costs more than $500,000 per person each year. Space is limited at many consulates and embassies overseas." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Alan D. Bersin, John Wagner, Lev J. Kubiak, and Rebecca Gambler.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Border Security: Investigators Transported Radioactive Sources across Our Nation's Borders at Two Locations, Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and Special Investigations, Testimony before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate

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  "Given today's unprecedented terrorism threat environment and the resulting widespread congressional and public interest in the security of our nation's borders, the subcommittee asked GAO to conduct an investigation testing whether radioactive sources could be smuggled across U.S. borders. Most travelers enter the United States through the nation's 154 land border ports of entry. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors at ports of entry are responsible for the primary inspection of travelers to determine their admissibility into the United States and to enforce laws related to preventing the entry of contraband, such as drugs and weapons of mass destruction. GAO's testimony provides the results of undercover tests made by its investigators to determine whether monitors at U.S. ports of entry detect radioactive sources in vehicles attempting to enter the United States. GAO also provides observations regarding the procedures that CBP inspectors followed during its investigation. GAO is also issuing a report today on the results of this investigation (GAO-06-545)." NOTE: GAO reposted the Web version of this testimony on April 10, 2006, to reflect changes in the text on pages 2 and 8. The original version of the testimony, posted on March 28, implied that officials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology selected the amount of radioactive sources we used in our border testing. The reposted version clarifies that GAO determined the amount of radioactive sources used in the tests after consulting with an outside expert.

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2006-03-28
• Border Security: Examining the Implications of S. 1691, the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2013, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, June 9, 2014

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  This is testimony compilation is from the June 9, 2014 hearing on "Examining the Implications of S. 1691, the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2013" held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. From the opening statement of Thomas R. Carper: "My thanks to my colleagues and our witnesses for working with my staff and me to quickly put this hearing together. The purpose of this hearing is to examine the merits of S. 1691, the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014, introduced by Senators Tester and McCain and cosponsored by Senators Heitkamp and Ayotte. This bill would make badly needed reforms to the overtime system at the Border Patrol, which is currently too complicated and too difficult to manage. […] Today's hearing will focus on how we can better address one of these symptoms by increasing enforcement. The Tester/McCain bill we are examining today will save taxpayers money, and increase our ability to patrol--and secure--our borders. In fact, one estimate I have seen shows that this bill would add the equivalent of 1,400 agents to the border. Given the challenges we face on the border--which have only been underscored by recent events--I have to say that moving this bill seems like a no-brainer to me. I fully support moving forward with this bill as soon as possible." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ronald D. Vitiello, Brandon Judd, Paul L. Hamrick, and Adam Miles.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

  2014-06-09