Homeland Security Feature Article

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Protecting our Borders

By: Wendi Williams, Content Editor

On any given day, employees of the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will process nearly 1.2 million people, excluding the more than 600,000 internationals, along with millions of dollars in fees or import taxes. They may investigate an estimated 500 terrorist-related inquiries and seize numerous vehicles or pounds of narcotics, meat, and produce, along our ports and land borders. Border patrol could stop as many as 1,000 non-citizens or 50 known criminals from crossing into the United States illegally, not to mention intercepting hundreds of fake documents (CBP, 2006). These professionals are keenly aware that anyone they encounter could cause potential harm, so it is little wonder they perform their duties with stern faces and commanding authority.

A highly controversial issue affecting our borders involves illegal immigrants, particularly our Mexican neighbors. However, border reform is necessary in light of our present global climate and for purposes of national security. Unfortunately, this leaves many immigrants, visitors, and American citizens caught in the crossfire. For example, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 stipulates that all persons traveling to Mexico or Canada by boat or plane will need a passport to enter or re-enter America by December 31, 2006. Gone are the days of just using a seal-embossed birth certificate or a government-issued identification card to crossover to neighboring countries. This requirement will extend to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Panama by January 1, 2008. It is wise to review all travel regulations on entering and re-entering your country of residence and the country you are visiting. Ideal websites to find up-to-date travel information are the US Department of State and the Electronic Embassy Web site.

Biometric technology will certainly help to make life easier for those passing to and from America. E-passports, for instance, were tested earlier this year between the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. E-Passports contain an embedded chip with biographic data and a digital photo of each person to help deter identification fraud. Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are expected to present an e-Passport by October 26, 2006. The VWP allows internationals to visit the US on business or leisure for 90 days or less without a travel visa. The day will come when all global citizens will be issued an e-Passport. That day starts in the summer of 2006 for persons living in the United States (US Department of State, 2006). To apply for a passport in your area, visit http://iafdb.travel.state.gov.

Under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, additional changes at the border are forthcoming. This includes hiring more agents to protect our borders and ports; enhancing current detention areas to permit the capture and release of violators; purchasing new technology that will facilitate the flow of products and human traffic; and certainly, gearing up for amendments to current immigration laws. After all, America still enjoys certain liberties that are prohibited or constrained in other countries, and many global citizens want to enjoy what's left of the American dream.

Yes, it is 2006 and the protection of our borders is far more complex since September 11, 2001. Terrorism is by far the most significant factor driving border security reform, followed by the issue of illegal immigrants. Let's face it, we live in an unpredictable world climate and what happens in one corner of the globe, greatly affects what happens in the next. The courageous people who patrol our borders and ports must always be on guard for hidden and unexpected dangers. Let's all do our part to keep America safe!

References
United States Customs and Border Protection. (May 2006). Fact sheet: On a typical day.

United States Department of Homeland Security. (April 18, 2006). DHS completes international e-Passport live test. Press Room.

United States Department of State. (July 2005). Visa waiver program.