Number: RL32399
Title: Border Security: Inspections Practices, Policies, and Issues
Authors: Ruth Ellen Wasem, Jennifer Lake, Lisa Seghetti, Domestic Social Policy Division; James Monke, Resources, Science, and Industry Division; and Stephen Vina, American Law Division 
Abstract: The United States now has a unified inspections operation at the borders; one inspector is charged with examining people, animals, plants, goods, and cargo upon entry to the country. This report delves into border inspections from the perspectives of the three major types of inspections: immigration, customs, and animal and plant health. The transfer of these functions to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) marks a significant policy shift concerning all of these functions, clarifying that  although there are important commercial, economic, health, humanitarian, and immigration responsibilities  ensuring the security of our borders is the top priority. The decision by DHS officials to further integrate the inspection duties so that there is one face at the border now means that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors are essentially interchangeable and responsible for all primary inspections.
Pages: 64
Date: January 19, 2005