Publication

This paper discusses US border security legislation with regard to immigration. A number of related issues came before the 109th Congress. These include: whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a viable border security strategy; whether the United States Border Patrol has adequate resources to achieve operational control of the border; the expansion of fencing along the border with Mexico; allowing the military to patrol or surveil the border; allowing states or civilians to patrol the border; expanding the expedited removal program or requiring mandatory detention of aliens apprehended between POE; and removing Air and Marine Operations from the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and making it a separate office within the DHS.