Quick Facts
9 Reasons Why Border Management is at the Top of our Agenda?
1. Increased Commitment from the DHS
The commitment from the Department of Homeland Security (according to their website):
The Department of Homeland Security will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors and promote the free-flow of commerce.
2. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security has highlighted increased focus on Border Security
In April of 2012 Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of Homeland Security, gave an overview of the Department’s top priorities. Border security was among the top on her list. The Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology appropriation delivers detection and surveillance technology systems, tactical infrastructure, and tactical communications modernization.
3. Increased collaboration between the U.S. and Canada
Northern Border: The Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Declaration, signed by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper in February 2011, sets out joint priorities to advance both countries’ interests in shared security and economic competitiveness.
As part of the Action Plan announced in December 2011, DHS is working with U.S. and Canadian partners to develop the next generation of integrated cross-border law enforcement, interoperable radio communications, border wait time measurements, and enhanced air/land/maritime domain awareness, as well as a multitude of initiatives to streamline trusted trader and traveler programs and expedite legitimate travel and trade.
4. DHS recognition for technology investments and developments specific to the Southwestern U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection - FY 2011 Highlights:
- The number of CBP Border Patrol agents nationwide increased from approximately 10,000 in 2004 to more than 21,000 today with nearly 18,500 “boots on the ground” along the Southwest border
- Border patrol apprehensions – a key indicator of illegal immigration – have decreased 53% in the last three years and are less than 20% of what they were at their peak
5. Investment in Southwest Border Technology
DHS has set an objective of substantially increasing situational awareness at our borders in order to help detect and classify potential threats and effectively resolve them.
6. Increased need for ICE personnel along the Southwest U.S. Border
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - FY 2011 Highlights:
- A quarter of all ICE operational personnel were deployed to the Southwest Border region – the most ever – to dismantle criminal organizations along the border
- Doubled the number of ICE personnel assigned to Border Enforcement Security Task Forces
7. Border Enforcement Security Task Force
ICE will continue to establish new BEST units in areas where transnational criminal organizations exploit vulnerabilities along the nation's border and at critical seaports.
8. Demand for Coast Guard services has never been greater
U.S. Coast Guard - FY2011 Highlights:
- USCG played an integral role in DHS’ Southern Border strategy through its maritime operations at the Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) South – the U.S. Southern Command entity that coordinates integrated interagency counter drug operations in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific
- Interdicted six self-propelled semi-submersible vessels; keeping 33 tons of cocaine off the streets of the United States
9. Rebuilding the Coast Guard
Demand for Coast Guard services is greater than ever and continues to expand. Recapitalization is vital to improve mission readiness by replacing aged, obsolete and unreliable assets. Investment in Coast Guard recapitalization is the service’s top budget priority and is essential to mission execution