Glossary > #CBP

CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a key agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States. Founded on March 1, 2003, CBP is responsible for protecting American borders, ensuring the security of the nation and simultaneously facilitating legitimate travel and trade. With more than 60,000 employees, it is one of the largest law enforcement organizations in the world, with a multifaceted mission that includes customs, immigration, border security and agricultural protection.

CBP’s Primary Mission

CBP’s primary mission is to protect the American people and the nation’s borders while supporting economic prosperity. It achieves this by preventing the entry of terrorists and their weapons into the USA, enforcing immigration laws, combating drug smuggling and other contraband, and protecting American agriculture and industry from harmful pests and diseases. CBP also plays a crucial role in regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties and enforcing U.S. trade laws.

Organizational Structure and Operations

Unified Border Management

As the first unified border entity of the United States, CBP integrates various functions for comprehensive border management and control. This integration includes coordination across several areas, including customs, immigration and agricultural protection, to ensure seamless security and border management.

Key Divisions and Operations

  • Office of Field Operations (OFO): This division is responsible for operations at ports of entry, where CBP officers inspect travelers and cargo entering the United States. They ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including immigration and customs laws.
  • United States Border Patrol (USBP): Operating along the land borders of the USA, the United States Border Patrol is tasked with preventing illegal entry and detecting and apprehending individuals attempting to enter the country illegally.
  • Air and Marine Operations (AMO): This division provides key air and maritime capabilities in support of CBP’s mission. The AMO agency conducts surveillance and interventions to prevent illegal activities along the nation’s borders and its extensive maritime boundaries.
  • Agricultural Protection: CBP agricultural specialists work at ports of entry to prevent the entry of harmful pests and diseases that could pose a risk to U.S. agriculture and natural resources.

Ports of Entry and Border Security

CBP oversees nearly 7,000 miles of land borders with Canada and Mexico, 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida peninsula and southern California, and 95,000 miles of maritime borders in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard. The agency’s comprehensive border security strategy includes a combination of personnel, technology and infrastructure to effectively secure these vast and diverse terrains.

Strategic Initiatives and Programs

Vision and Mission Statement

CBP’s vision is to strengthen national security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust. Its mission focuses on protecting the American people, securing borders and strengthening economic prosperity.

Security Initiatives

CBP has developed several strategic initiatives to strengthen border security and facilitate trade, including:

  • Container Security Initiative (CSI): This program aims to identify and inspect high-risk cargo containers before they are loaded onto ships destined for the USA. Through partnerships with foreign governments, CBP can inspect containers at their place of origin.
  • Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT): A voluntary program that works with the business community to strengthen international supply chains and improve border security.
  • Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS): ACAS program involves advance screening of air cargo to identify potential security threats before cargo departs from the airport of origin.

Technological Advances

CBP uses advanced technologies to enhance its operational capabilities, including:

  • Biometric Entry-Exit System: This system uses biometric data to track the entry and exit of travelers, thereby increasing border security and facilitating legitimate travel.
  • Automated Targeting System (ATS): A system that enables CBP to assess the risk of travelers and cargo entering the USA, allowing for more efficient targeting of high-risk travelers and shipments.

International Cooperation

CBP works closely with international partners to strengthen global border security and facilitate legal trade and travel. Cooperation includes information sharing, joint operations and capacity-building initiatives with foreign customs and border agencies.

Challenges and Future Directions

Evolving Threats

CBP faces a range of challenges in its mission to secure the nation’s borders, including evolving threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling. The agency continually adapts its strategies and operations to effectively address these challenges.

Innovation and Adaptation

To address these challenges, CBP is committed to innovation and adaptation. The agency invests in cutting-edge technology and data analysis to enhance its detection and response capabilities. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, CBP seeks to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure the security of the United States.

Economic Impact and Trade Facilitation

CBP plays a key role in facilitating international trade, which is vital to the U.S. economy. The agency works to streamline customs processes, reduce trade barriers and ensure compliance with trade agreements, thereby supporting economic growth and competitiveness.

Humanitarian Considerations

In addition to its security and trade functions, CBP addresses humanitarian issues related to migration and border crossings. The agency works to ensure humane treatment of individuals encountered at the border, particularly vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors.

Recruitment and Personnel Challenges

According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), CBP faced challenges in recruiting and retaining law enforcement personnel. Factors such as remote locations, lack of services such as healthcare facilities, and negative public perception of law enforcement affected recruitment efforts. To address these issues, CBP offered significant recruitment incentives and streamlined its recruitment process, leading to improvements in metrics such as recruitment time and applicant yield.

Conclusion

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a cornerstone of national security and economic prosperity in the United States. Through its comprehensive approach to border management, CBP protects the nation’s borders, facilitates legitimate trade and travel, and addresses a wide range of challenges in an ever-changing global environment. With a commitment to innovation, collaboration and trust, CBP remains dedicated to protecting the American people and strengthening the nation’s economic well-being.