Introduction
Border Patrol is considered to be America’s first line of defense in opposition to illegal intrusions. United States border patrol has a long history of guarding America’s border and today the force is determined to foil terrorists from entering on American soil, prevent illegal destructive weapons and drugs on American territory. The US border patrol was founded by a congressional provision on 28 may 1924 in order to watch American international borders. The agency used to be a part of Immigration and naturalization service till the year 2002 but after that it was made a part of Department of homeland security. US border patrol also cooperates with other agencies inside United States of American and the agency has given wide authority and budget to take care of its expenses and other affairs. This research proposal intends to discuss United States border patrol and related problems along with discussing solutions to these problems.
Problem Background
US border patrol is responsible for preventing all unauthorized intrusions on American borders. The agency is bestowed rights of checking all illegal immigration activities and supply of illegal arms and illegal drugs on US borders. Currently US border patrol monitors eight thousand miles of US international borders that country shares with American, Canada, along with watching coastal borders with American as well as Puerto Rico. On coastal borders US border patrol has deployed water crafts along with armed men and other latest technical devices to keep monitoring the borders without any mistakes (Weyrich, 2008).
US border patrol has detained approx 11000 pounds of cocaine. Agents of border patrol also seized over 2.6 million pound marijuana. This figure shows how insecure American borders are and if not monitored duly, criminals, smugglers, drug dealers and terrorists can create dangers for Americans. The southwest border is mainly responsible for unauthorized immigration, smuggling of drugs and illegal arms supply. American shares this border with American and four American states touches this boundary. Northern international border of American is attached with Canada. This border is very diverse due to Rocky Mountains, rocky terrains, several rivers and lakes. Guarding this border is very difficult and US border patrol uses it resources in this mission (Moore, 1988). This border touches 12 American states and causes different threats.
US border patrol secures American borders from illegal intrusion ad also prevents illegal arms and drugs from entering into America but the agency itself suffers from a number of issues. US border patrol faces lack of staffs and other sources. Border patrol needs ample staffs in order to counter dangerous drug cartels and to prevent illegal intrusion. The problem has been presented by border patrol before the concerned authority several times and some steps also have been taken in order to solve the issue but considering the growing challenges of US border patrol more effective steps are required I order to solve this situation ( The Heritage Foundation Immigration and Border Security Reform Task Force , 2013).
Apart from facing lack of ample staffs, training of these staffs and other resources are also required I order to growing challenges at the borders. Organized Professional cartels that intend to supply illegal arms and drugs into America are equipped with latest weapons as well as technologies. Other dangerous gangs are also active in sending illegal immigrants on American soil. In order to counter such challenges, border patrol should be provided all the latest weapons, technologies and required amount of trained staffs.
Solutions to the Problem
The US border patrol has successfully proved its value and need. The agency needs to be supplied what it lacks today in order to enhance its efficiency. The agency is heavily understaffed today and it should be given the required quantity of armed personnel without any further delay. Border patrol should be given rights to recruit staffs for different purposes. As the agency is involved in a variety of tasks, it needs various kinds of staffs. Border patrol needs men to watch borders, intercept illegal intrusion, along with preventing illegal supply of drugs as well as illegal weapons (DIANE, 1996). These staffs should be well trained as it has been observed in a number of incidents that due to lack of appropriate training, the effectiveness of border patrol was affected. In a number of incidents complaints are also made about their treatment and competence. Such issues are required to be addressed immediately.
Since border patrol has to deal with several issues, it needs a variety of resources. The border patrol watches boundaries of America on land, through air and also in water. The agency needs aircrafts, vehicles and motor boats in order to carry out their work effectively on all fronts. US border patrol also faces lack of latest technology ad deadly weapons. All these above mentioned issues should be immediately removed in order to enhance the efficiency of the United States border patrol (Maril, 2004).
Justification on the Solutions
Once US border patrol is provided ample staffs, latest technologies, other resources and all other requirements, the agency can perform its duty in a better and effective manner. Agency can watch and secure all American borders and can prevent criminals, terrorists, and illegal intruders from entering into America. The agency can watch and seize all activities related to illegal drugs, and illegal deadly weapons from pumping on American land. Staffs are mandatory to carry its activities and in order to enhance their efficiency, technological devices, and other resources are inevitably required. US border patrol already takes several technological devices as well as innovative ideas. Using and Installing Automated Biometrics Identification System was a step in this series which empowered this agency to regular violators of America immigration laws (Hernandez, 2010). US border patrol keeps records, finger prints, photographs and other biographical data in their database in order to identify and track criminals as per their crime and violations.
Conclusion
After having observed a succinct overview of US border patrol, its activities, and mechanism, it can be concluded that this agency plays a very significant role in security of America. US border patrol secures the international borders of America and keep blocking criminals, illegal immigrants, arms suppliers, drug suppliers and terrorists. US border patrol is fulfilling the duties that are bestowed upon this agency in a very effective manner. US Border patrol has changed its policies after 9/11. Us border patrol has increased its activities on borders and does everything possible that can be effective in securing American borders. Currently US border patrol faces some problems of understaffing and lack of resources. In order to carry its mission in more effective manner, US border patrol needs additional staffs, latest technological devices and resources.
References
The Heritage Foundation Immigration and Border Security Reform Task Force . (2013, June 14). The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from www.heritage.org: http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/06/advancing-the-immigration-nation-heritages-positive-path-to-immigration-and-border-security-reform
DIANE. (1996). Border Patrol: Staffing and Enforcement Activities. Washington, D.C.: DIANE Publishing Company.
Hernandez, K. L. (2010). Migra!: A History of the U.S. Border Patrol. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press.
Maril, R. L. (2004). Patrolling Chaos: The U.S. Border Patrol in Deep South Texas. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press.
Moore, A. E. (1988). Border Patrol. Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone Press.
Weyrich, P. (2008, March 30). Renew America. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from www.renewamerica.com: http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/weyrich/080330
