Border Protection

Border protection has been an issue in the United States for much longer than what most Americans would think. Citizens in today’s society seem to think of border protection has a job for the border patrol to catch illegal aliens and drugs being smuggled into this country. The truth is that border protection is much more than just catching the smuggling. Some seem to forget much about our history of trade and imports. Where is this nation heading with our borders. Is building walls the answer or are there other means to protect over 100,000 miles of border the United States has?

The Tariff Act of 1789 was the first major act of congress involving imports and exports into the United States. Signed on July 4th, 1789 by President George Washington, the Tariff Act gave the authority to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imports and excises” and to “regulate commerce with foreign nations” (www.enotes.com, 2006). Not more than just four weeks later, on July 31, 1789, another major act of congress was put into place which established the United States Customs Service. For the next 100 years, the US Customs Service was the main source of income for the United States and is the source of funds for many territorial purchases such as Louisiana, Oregon and more. It was also the source of income to build such things like the U.S. Military and Naval Academies, lighthouses and Washington D.C. The US Customs Services was under the US Treasury Department up until the signing of Homeland Security Act signed by President Bush shortly after the attacks on America on September 11, 2001. The Homeland Security Act was signed in 2002 and created the Department of Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Act has been quoted by many as the largest federal government reform in 55 years. On March 1, 2003, the US

Border Protection

Custom Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Border Patrol all came together to form the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The history of our Homeland Security is long and deep. It has taken many huge steps to get to where we are today. Border Protection is more than just catching illegal aliens and items being smuggled into the United States, although it is a large part of it. Border Protection includes all borders, including maritime borders. All imported and exported good are closely monitored. With the rise in terrorism over the years, Border Protection also focuses on any and all possible terrorist attacks on America. Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection, quotes, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is addressing the terrorist threat 24-hours a day. We have a multi-layered approach that encompasses working with our foreign counterparts, employing intelligence, technology, advanced information in the field and the most professional workforce worldwide. We are aware of the terrorist threat and are evolving hourly to face it and keep America safe.” (www.cbp.gov,2008). The Department of Homeland Security oversees many different agencies like the US Border Patrol, US Coast Guard, The Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and much more.

In 2006, Senators agreed to provide $350 million dollars extra for border security and $648 million dollars extra for port and cargo security. Another amendment would also provide the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with $251 million dollars extra