Border Patrol in the USA. Who We Are and What We Do

The United States Border Patrol is the mobile, uniformed law enforcement arm of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Border Patrol was officially established n May 28, 1924 by an act of Congress passed in response to increasing illegal immigration. As mandated by this Act, the small boarder guard in what was then the Bureau of Immigration was reorganized into the Border Patrol. The initial force of 450 officers was given the responsibility of combating illegal entries and the growing business of alien smuggling.

Since the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, the focus of the Border Patrol has changed to detection, apprehension and/or deterrence and terrorist weapons. Together with other law enforcement officers, the Border Patrol helps maintain borders work – facilitating the flow of legal immigration and goods while preventing the illegal trafficking of people and contraband.

The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling the 6, 000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 2, 000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. Agents work around the clock on assignment in all types of terrain and weather conditions. Agents also work in many isolated communities throughout the United States.

One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol Agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the land border by maintaining surveillance from a covert position, following up leads, responding to electronic sensor television systems, aircraft sighting, and interpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence. Some of the major activities are traffic check, traffic observation, city patrol, transportation check, administrative, intelligence and anti-smuggling activities.

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CBP Officers Size Nearly $ 1.9 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

(Wednesday, March 17, 2010)

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine hidden within a Nissan Tiida.

On Tuesday, March 16, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, CBP officers encountered a tan 2009 Nissan Tiida driven by a 20-year-old female Mexico citizen ho resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At primary a CBP officer referred the Nissan for a secondary inspection. CBP officers working in the secondary examination area discovered two compartments within the Nissan. Upon further inspection officers removed 24 packages containing a total of 26.40 kilograms (58.2 pounds) of cocaine.

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of $ 1, 862, 400 CBP officers turned the driver over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation.

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