DHS Takes Actions to Strengthen Border Security Programs


Since September 11, 2001, the need to secure US borders has increased in importance and attracted greater public and Congressional attention.

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The Department of Homeland Security has spent billions of dollars to prevent the illegal entry of individuals and contraband between ports of entry --government-designated locations where DHS inspects persons and goods to determine whether they may be lawfully admitted into the country. 

 Yet, while DHS apprehends hundreds of thousands of such individuals each year, several hundreds of thousands more enter the country illegally and undetected. The Customs and Border Protection directorate, a component of DHS, is the lead federal agency in charge of securing our nation's borders. 

 The US Congress requested an examination of the DHS's efforts on selected border security operations and programs related to inspecting travelers at US ports of entry, detecting individuals attempting to enter the country illegally between ports of entry, and  screening of international travelers before they arrive in the United States and challenges remaining in these areas. 

 The GAO's observations were based on products issued from May 2006 through February 2008. In prior reports, GAO has recommended various actions to DHS to help address weaknesses in the traveler inspection programs and processes, and challenges in training officers to inspect travelers and documents. DHS has generally agreed with GAO analysts' recommendations and has taken various actions to address them.

 The CBP has taken actions to improve traveler inspections at US ports of entry, but challenges remain. The CBP has stressed the importance of effective inspections and trained CBP supervisors and officers in interviewing travelers. Yet, weaknesses in travel inspection procedures and lack of physical infrastructure and staff have hampered CBP's ability to inspect travelers thoroughly and detect fraudulent documents. 

 Also, the CBP is implementing an initiative requiring citizens of the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico to present certain identification documents when entering the United States. As of December 2007, actions taken to meet the initiative's requirements include selecting technology to be used at land ports of entry and developing plans to train officers to use it. 

In addition, the DHS has developed a program to collect, maintain, and share data on selected foreign nationals entering and exiting the country. As of October 2007, the agency has invested more than $1.5 billion on the program over 4 years and biometrically-enabled entry capabilities now operate at more than 300 ports of entry. 
 
However, though allocating about $250 million since 2003 to exit-related efforts, DHS has not yet detailed how it will verify when travelers exit the country. 
 
In November 2005, DHS announced the launch of a multiyear, multibillion-dollar program aimed at securing US borders and reducing immigration of individuals who enter the United States illegally and undetected between ports of entry. One component of this program, which DHS accepted as complete in February 2008, was an effort to secure 28 miles along the southwest border using, among other means, improved closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and radar. 

 The DHS plans to apply the lessons learned to future projects. Another program component, 370 miles of pedestrian fence and 300 miles of vehicle fence, has not yet been completed and DHS will be challenged to do so by its December 2008 deadline due to various factors, such as acquiring rights to border lands. 

Additionally, DHS is unable to estimate the total cost of this component because various factors are not yet known such as the type of terrain where the fencing is to be constructed. 

 The CBP has experienced unprecedented growth in the number of its Border Patrol agents. While initial training at the academy is being provided, Border Patrol officials expressed concerns about the agency's ability to provide sufficient field training. To screen international travelers before they arrive in the United States, the federal government has implemented new policies and programs, including enhancing visa security and providing counterterrorism training to overseas consular officials. 

 As the GAO previously recommended, DHS needs to better manage risks posed by a program that allows nationals from 27 countries to travel to the United States without a visa for certain durations and purposes. 

Regarding the prescreening of international passengers bound for the United States, CBP has a pilot program that provides additional scrutiny of passengers and their travel documents at foreign airports prior to their departure. CBP has reported several successes through the pilot program, but has not yet determined whether to make the program permanent.