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1 1 (May 13, 2008)

handle is hein.crs/crsaipi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS21899
Updated May 13, 2008
Border Security:
Key Agencies and Their Missions
Bias Nuhez-Neto
Analyst in Social Legislation
Domestic Social Policy Division
Summary
After the massive reorganization of federal agencies precipitated by the creation of
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there are now four main federal agencies
charged with securing the United States' borders: the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), which patrols the border and conducts immigrations, customs, and
agricultural inspections at ports of entry; the Bureau of Immigrations and Customs
Enforcement (ICE), which investigates immigrations and customs violations in the
interior of the country; the United States Coast Guard, which provides maritime and port
security; and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible
for securing the nation's land, rail, and air transportation networks. This report is meant
to serve as a primer on the key federal agencies charged with border security; as such
it will briefly describe each agency's role in securing our nation's borders. This report
will be updated as needed
In the wake of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress decided that
enhancing the security of the United States' borders was a vitally important component
of preventing future terrorist attacks. Before September 11, 2001, border security fell
piecemeal under the mandate of many diverse federal departments, including but not
limited to: the Department of Justice (the Immigration and Naturalization Service); the
Department of the Treasury (the Customs Service); the Department of Agriculture (the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service); and the Department of Transportation (the
Coast Guard).
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) consolidated most federal
agencies operating along the U.S. borders within the newly formed DHS. Most of these
agencies were located in the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (BTS),
which was charged with securing the borders; territorial waters; terminals; waterways; and
air, land, and sea transportation systems of the United States; and managing the nation's

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