BCBP Assigns Over 375 Additional Agents to Northern Border

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CPB)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mario Villarreal at (202) 927-1549
July 2, 2003

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assign Additional Border Patrol Agents to Increase Northern Border Security Over 375 agents to be re-assigned, bringing total to over 1,000 on Northern Border

Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner has directed that additional Border Patrol agents be deployed as part of the continuing effort to enhance northern border security. More than three hundred and seventy-five Border Patrol agents will be strategically and permanently assigned to various locations along the northern border bringing the total number of Border Patrol agents to 1,000 along the U.S border with Canada.

"Homeland security is our top priority," said CBP Commissioner Robert Bonner. "Customs and Border Protection has the front line responsibility for detecting terrorists and terrorists weapons including weapons of mass destruction at our nation's borders. The Border Patrol is an essential part of Customs and Border Protection and provides security against intrusions between our nation's official crossing points. Given the terrorist threat, we were clearly understaffed on the northern border. This is an important step in increasing security along our northern border and is necessary given the continuing threat of terrorism," Bonner added.

Funding for these additional permanent positions was provided in the fiscal year 2003 budget passed by Congress. In May 2002, 245 Border Patrol agents were selected as part of the northern border fiscal year 2002 enhancements and the wartime supplemental appropriation. By the end of this year, approximately 1,000 Border Patrol agents will be permanently assigned to the northern border. The Border Patrol has also deployed additional aircraft to provide air coverage across the entire northern border.

The Border Patrol was transferred from the former INS and became a division of Customs and Border Protection on March 1, 2003. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security's Border and Transportation Security Directorate. In addition to the Border Patrol, CBP unifies all of the Inspectors (Customs, Immigration and Agriculture) at the ports of entry of the United States, including all of the ports of entry. Currently, CBP has over 2,500 inspectors assigned to the northern border crossing points.

-CBP-