CBP Fact Sheet on Its Increased Border Security Efforts Prior to the Presidential Election

The fact sheet notes that there have been concerns that terrorists will try to enter the U.S. across the southern border and CBP has been preparing for the possibility and is taking appropriate actions to better secure U.S. borders against the terrorist threat.

According to the fact sheet, the actions and initiatives that CBP has been taking to increase security across U.S. borders prior to the presidential election include a broad range of strategies and defenses that CBP deploys in its anti-terror mission.

CBP's protective measures include intensified activities in the areas of passenger processing, cargo targeting and inspection, non-intrusive technology inspections, as well as a number of initiatives to increase security along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

In addition to the above actions, CBP states that it:

Increased inspections of rail, truck, and air cargo - CBP conducts increased inspections of rail, truck and air cargo identified through its Automated Targeting System (ATS) to ensure that all high-risk cargo is subject to further examination.

In addition, CBP is increasing the number of examinations utilizing large-scale non-intrusive inspection systems.

Shared data on suspicious activity - CBP works with national intelligence agencies to share data on suspicious activity, and shares information with CBP personnel on the front lines.

CBP states that it is providing extensive anti-terrorism training to uniformed personnel, including specific mention of U.S.-Mexico border threats. CBP has also increased coordination and intelligence sharing with Mexican contacts through the Mexican Liaison Units on the southern borders. According to the fact sheet, CBP's Office of Border Patrol is currently working closely with these units in response to information received and ongoing joint operations.

Intelligence and surveillance operations on known smuggling operations - in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE's) Anti-Smuggling Units and CBP's Office of Intelligence, CBP's Office of Border Patrol focuses its intelligence and surveillance operations on known smuggling operations that have previously trafficked aliens from significant interest countries, and develop operations to target and disrupt these especially high-interest smuggling activities.

Referrals for criminal prosecutions - CBP provides referrals for criminal prosecutions for aliens possessing fraudulent documents, making false statements, or committing other immigration violations, where there is a suspicion of a connection of terrorism or other national security interest.

Response and feedback regarding border interdictions - CBP works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and ICE to improve response and feedback to border interdictions that involve individuals that potentially pose a risk for terrorism.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - CBP uses 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support the Arizona Border Control Initiative (ABCI).

Reassignment of Border Patrol Agents to high-threat smuggling corridors - CBP has reassigned 200 CBP Border Patrol Agents to the high-threat smuggling corridors of the Arizona-Mexico border. CBP is continuing deployments of special units including the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, Special Response Teams, and the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team in these areas.

CBP states that it will maintain and expand coordinated, heightened security efforts under the ABCI to establish operational control over the weakest and most vulnerable area of the southwest border where more than 40 percent of illegal aliens are apprehended.

CBP fact sheet (dated 08/20/04) available at

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/08202004.xml.