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Budget worries Border Patrol ~ The Washington Times Page 1 of 2

The Washington Times


www.washingtontimes.com

Budget worries Border Patrol


By Jerry Seper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published March 12, 2004

The Bush administration is "rolling out the welcome mat for terrorists and illegal aliens" in
seeking to legalize millions of foreign nationals illegally in the United States and in
proposing budget cuts "thinning the ranks" of America's border force, says the head of the
Border Patrol's 10,000-member union.
"Budget and personnel cuts, coupled with the proposed amnesty for illegal aliens, make it
clear that this administration is not at all serious about securing our homeland or enforcing
our immigration laws," T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council
(NBPC), told a House subcommittee.
"Foreign terrorists continue to pose an extreme threat to the safety of our nation, and
illegal immigration remains out of control," said Mr. Bonner, a Border Patrol agent for 26
years. "How can anyone contemplate cutting the funding and staffing of our first line of
defense?"
At a budget hearing of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, border security
and claims, Mr. Bonner said that despite a $3.6 billion increase proposed for Homeland
Security for fiscal 2005, the Border Patrol -- whose responsibilities include 6,000 miles of
international border — is slated for cuts totaling more than $18.3 million.
He described as "unwise" a Bush plan to substitute $64 million for sensors and
surveillance technology and $10 million for unmanned aerial vehicles instead of increasing
the number of agents "by at least 1,000."
"While such technology can be useful in pinpointing the location of those who cross our
borders illegally, it cannot catch a single violator," Mr. Bonner said, pointing out that the
Border Patrol is the only agency within Homeland Security that has been targeted for staff
cuts.
"Until control of the borders is achieved, it is irresponsible to propose cutting the Border
Patrol's budget and staffing. As long as our borders remain porous, they are just as open to
terrorists and other criminals as they are to illegal aliens," he said.
Chairman John N. Hostettler, Indiana Republican, said that while President Bush has
proposed additional funding in 2005 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which
oversees the Border Patrol, there are no resources for additional agents — a decision, he said,
that ended "a trend of several years."
Mr. Hostettler said the subcommittee is trying to determine whether the president's fiscal
request adequately responds to what he called the "main immigration challenges facing the
United States today" - reducing the illegal alien population, protecting the United States
from criminal aliens and terrorists, and ensuring that immigration benefit applications are
handled correctly and in a timely manner.
Michael W. Cutler, former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) senior agent,
told the subcommittee that reducing the illegal alien population would require significant
funding increases, but that failing to do so would "ultimately cost our country far more."
"The abysmal reputation that our nation has gained over the past several decades in terms
of our ability and determination to enforce the immigration laws deters few, if any, aliens

http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040311-113623-8745r 3/17/2004
WITHDRAWAL NOTICE

RG: 148 Exposition, Anniversary, and Memorial Commissions


SERIES: 9/11 Commision Team 5
NND PROJECT NUMBER: 46009 FOIA CASE NUMBER: 28613

WITHDRAWAL DATE: 12/27/2007

BOX: 00018 FOLDER: 0001 TAB: 51 DOC ID: 31139512

COPIES: 1 PAGES: 83

ACCESSRESTRICTED
The item identified below has been withdrawn from this file:

FOLDER TITLE: Kephart WF: Border Patrol

DOCUMENT DATE: DOCUMENT TYPE: Report

FROM:

TO:

SUBJECT: Follow-up Review of the Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border

This document has been withdrawn for the following reason(s):


9/11 Law Enforcement Sensitive

WITHDRAWAL NOTICE
INS Staff Routing Sheet

TO: OIG THRU: Commissioner SUSPENSE DATE: 01/24/00


TODAY
SUBJECT: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along Northern Border"

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
1. Purpose: To provide INS response to Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the
Northern Border," OIG Report Number A-99-04.

2. Discussion: INS concurs with of the findings, conclusions and recommendations in the report as
discussed with the Deputy Commissioner on Friday, January 14.

3. Recommendation: That Commissioner sign memorandum.

CONCURRENCES
NAME OFFICE SIGNATURE DATE COMMENTS
Michael C. Nicley HQBOR
Ken Elwood HQOPS Separate
concurrence
Michael A. Pearson HQOPS
Allen Erenbaum HQOCR Separate
concurrence
Robert Bach HQOPP Separate
concurrence
John Chase HQOIA Separate
concurrence
Peggy McGee HQEXS
Mary Ann Wyrsch HQDEPCOM
Doris Meissner HQCOM

ACTION OFFICER/OFFICE/EXTENSION: DATE: 1/24/2000


Kathleen Stanley/HQOIA/5 14-8800

DAG006-0269
U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service

HQBOR110/8.2-C

Office of the Commissioner 4251 Street NW


Washington, DC 20536

MEMORANDUM FOR MARY W. DEMORY


ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL
FOR INSPECTIONS
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FROM: Doris Meissner


Commissioner
Immigration and Naturalization Service

SUBJECT: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border"
Report Number A-99-04

The Border Patrol has carefully reviewed the Office of the Inspector General's draft
report on Border Patrol efforts along the northern border. The Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) agrees with the conclusions and recommendations in this report and has provided
comments. However, the INS looks at the northern border not in isolation but within an overall
border perspective. The INS has considered the overall threat to the entire nation, all border
areas to be covered, resources available, known threat levels for various areas, and other
available infbrmation. I believe that we have deployed our personnel in the most effective
manner to address the threat, and are actively working on ways to improve security along the
northern border.

The report highlights the difficulty in attempting to look at complex problems such as
border enforcement with too narrow a focus. As we have seen on the southern border,
smugglers, traffickers, and illegal migrants adapt quickly to Border Patrol tactical shifts. We
expect increased pressures on the northern border as the Border Patrol continues to make
progress on the southwest border and INS generally cuts off the avenues of illegal immigration.
These impacts will increase resource needs on the northern border. For example, increased
enforcement operations between ports of entry will create pressures on ports of entry, and
expanded enforcement may require additional detention resources.

DAG006-0263
Memorandum for Mary W. Demory Pa8e 2
Subject: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border"
Report Number A-99-04

The report correctly states that the northern border is initially addressed in Phase IV of
the Border Patrol's Strategic Plan. Currently, the Border Patrol is in Phase n of the plan, and no
date has been set to implement Phase IV. However, 22 additional Border Patrol Agent (BPA)
positions were allocated to the northern border and filled during Fiscal Year (FY) 1999.
Additionally, planning has started for the FY 2000 deployment of the Integrated Surveillance
InteUigence System in the northern border sectors of Elaine and Buffalo.

I consider portions of this report to be Law Enforcement Sensitive and, therefore,


recommend that the report not be published in its entirety. Although the media may have
reported the approximate strength of our resources, public announcement of the exact location of
the deployment of Border Patrol staffing may provide a benefit to illegal traffickers by
confirming the staffing. Smugglers may then redirect their illegal activities.

FINDING 1: THE BORDER PATROL FACES INCREASING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY


ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER.
INS POSITION: Concur. The INS agrees that there are anecdotal reports of increased
activity. No quantitative evidence, however, has been presented which supports a conclusion
that there is an increase in the illegal activity along the northern border. Vigilance requires that
we respond to these reports, but much greater effort is needed to assess the risks at the northern
border.

No statistical-gathering practices currently in place can determine if the total numbers of


apprehensions or seizures were made from actual "entries" from Canada or if the aliens entered
from the southern border or coastal areas. During FYs 1998 and 1999, six of the eight northern
border sectors reported that the majority of their apprehensions were Mexican nationals. Only
two sectors reported that most of their apprehensions were Canadian citizens, or other foreign
nationals.

This finding also reported anecdotal evidence of an "increase in illegal smuggling


activity" along the northern border. During FY 1999, G-23 reporting does not indicate an
increase in alien smuggling activity along the northern border.

FINDING 2: INS IS UNABLE TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY


ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER.
INS POSITION: Concur. While the INS may not be able to assess the level of illegal
activity along the northern border, we do know what is not there. Common indicators used on
the southern border to assess threat levels, such as cut fences, quality of life, and the
environmental impacts resulting from high volumes of illegal traffic, do not evidence themselves
on the northern border. Comparing the known threat level on the southern border with that of the

DAG006-0264
Memorandum for Mary W. Demory Page 3
Subject: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border"
Report Number A-99-04

northern border, the INS believes that the northern border does not face the same level of threat
from illegal activity. Appropriate indicators to quantify threats specific to the northern border
remain to be identified. INS has begun testing measurement approaches (e.g. Spokane Sector) to
assess the amount of cross border traffic. It is anticipated that the mixture of technology and
personnel required to address the threats will be markedly different on the two borders.

FINDING 3: BORDER PATROL'S CAPACITY TO RESPOND IS.


DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE AMOUNT OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

INS POSITION: Concur. The INS concurs with this finding to the extent that no law
enforcement agency has sufficient assets to respond to every violation of law. Until an
acceptably minor level of violations has been reached, the Border Patrol's capacity to respond
might be considered insufficient.

However, the INS shares responsibility for responding to illegal activity in the northern
border area with law enforcement agencies from both sides of the border. The INS is working
with agencies from both the U.S. and Canadian governments to maximize enforcement
effectiveness. The Border Patrol has deployed resources to areas with high volumes of
confirmed illegal activity as a priority, including 22 BPAs deployed to the northern border
during FY 1999. The Border Patrol Strategic Plan calls for addressing threats identified on the
northern border during Phase IV.

The staffing-level formulas for assessing the level of activity for the northern border are
by necessity different from those of the southern border. Statistics for the southern border
indicate that the magnitude per agent of cross-border illegal activity is much greater than that of
the northern border agent. Therefore, operationally and logically, the Border Patrol has decided
to expend the majority of available manpower resources in areas having the most illegal traffic
until those areas are brought under control. As the threat level changes geographically, assets
will be redirected to the areas having the most illegal traffic. The risk and response at the
northern border involves much more of an anti-smuggling strategy. Sufficient intelligence and
investigative assets will be needed to respond to the northern border.

The report itself lists several factors stating that they affect the Border Patrol's ability to
respond to illegal activity. Allocation of BPAs to the northern border beginning with 22
additional BPA positions FY 1999 is a start to addressing this issue. Even with the additional
staffing resources, there are stations that do not have 24-hour coverage, seven days a week.
However, agents remain available for call outs to deal with situations that arise after the regular
shifts have gone home.

FINDING 4: OTHER FACTORS AFFECT THE BORDER PATROL'S


ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY.

DAG006-0265
Memorandum for Mary W. Demory Page 4
Subject: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border"
Report Number A-99-04

INS POSITION: Concur. The INS concurs that the lack of detention space undermines
its enforcement goals. When an alien is released after being apprehended, the alien faces no
additional risk by failing to appear in court. If apprehended later, the alien usually faces the
same lack of repercussions.

The INS concurs that detailing may adversely affect northern border operations, but only
to the extent that detailing is one of many factors that may affect enforcement operations.
Numerous factors affect the enforcement capability of the Border Patrol, including but are not
limited to, a migratory labor force to harvest seasonal crops, availability of jobs, employee leave
schedules, mandatory training, and weather.

CONCLUSION 1: Securing the northern border requires careful planning, built upon
reliable data, the knowledge and insights of individuals experienced in securing the northern
border, as well as lessons the Border Patrol has learned while implementing the strategic plan on
the southwest border.

INS RESPONSE: The INS concurs with the conclusions in this report. This
information is a valuable tool to help prompt us to further develop Phase IV when resources
become available.

RECOMMENDATION 1: The INS Commissioner direct the Border Patrol to outline


the approach it will take, prior to and during Phase IV, to secure the northern border, including,
but not limited to, the following:

• identifying and implementing accurate methods for collecting data to quantify the
level of illegal activity and to support decisions about the allocation of personnel
and equipment;

• determining the minimum number of intelligence analysts and intelligence aides


needed to accuratetfassesohe level of illegal activity; and

• determining the minimum number of BP As the northern border sectors require to


address existing gaps along the northern border (e.g., the number of BPAs
necessary for sectors to cover all shifts at all stations).

INS RESPONSE: Concur. The INS agrees with this report and appreciates the
information outlining concerns about accurate methods of data collection, identifying
intelligence assets, staffing levels, and anecdotal evidence that illegal activity is increasing along
the northern border. The INS will use this report as additional information in developing an
outline for the approach it will take to manage risks at the northern border. In developing this

DAG006-0266
Memorandum for Mary W. Demory J^ge 5
Subject: Draft Inspection Report: "Border Patrol Efforts Along the Northern Border-
Report Number A-99-04

approach, the INS will consider the level and the nature of the threat; urgency of the response
(i.e., response time to remote sensors versus forward deployment of personnel); use of
technology in maintaining control of the border and the Attorney general's call for a new
"Border Vision" in conjunction with Canadian authorities. The INS expects to complete the
outline by October 1.
CONCLUSION 2: A topic that requires more immediate attention is the detailing of
BPAs from already under-staffed northern sectors, which has had an adverse effect on
enforcement operations. Despite the steadily increasing numbers of BPAs assigned to the
southwest border over the past six years, there has been no corresponding decrease in the number
of BPAs detailed out of northern sectors.
INS RESPONSE: The INS concurs. See comments under recommendation 2.

RECOMMENDATION 2: The INS Commissioner evaluate whether there is a


continuing need to detail BPAs out of the northern sectors at the current levels.

INS RESPONSE: Concur. The Border Patrol has reevaluated the need to detail BPAs
out of the northern border sectors at the current levels. Detailing of experienced BPAs from both
the northern and southern borders remains a valuable method of bringing BPAs into areas where
high levels of seniority and expertise are required to augment the increase of trainee agents.
Additionally, BPAs with expertise are detailed to the Academy, taskforces, and border areas
where additional personnel are required to perform special operations. Because the permanent
staffing on the southern border has steadily increased, the Border Patrol does not anticipate,
barring obligations that all sectors are subject to, further detailing of BPAs from the northern
border to the southern border.

DAG006-0267
HQBOR:BCooke:bc:01/06/00:99-977
Rewritten: 01/07/00
01/10/00
01/12/00
01/13/00
01/14/00
01/22/00

bcc: HQBOR110/8.2-C
Master Log

DAG006-0268
Statistics On Illegal Immigration Page 1 of 6

Statistics on Illegal Immigration Into America


From The Center For Immigration Studies:

The U.S. Border Patrol made 92,521 apprehensions along the southwest border during January
2004, a 6 percent increase when compared to January 2003. Voluntary returns conducted by
Border Patrol agents increased by 3 percent from a year ago to 83,939. For the first four months
of fiscal year 2004, apprehensions were up 11 percent and voluntary returns were up 7 percent
compared to the same period in fiscal year 2003. However, seasonally adjusted apprehensions
decreased in January 2004 by 13 percent when compared to December 2003.

About 14 million U.S. citizens were admitted at DHS ports of entry during January 2004,
compared to approximately 20 million aliens admitted during the same month. The above
categories of admission include individuals who make multiple entries, for example, citizens who
leave and reenter the United States multiple times, permanent residents who make multiple
entries, or aliens who hold non-immigrant visas or border crossing cards and commute back and
forth each week from Canada or Mexico.

The total inadmissible count for January 2004 was 56,914, a 10 percent decrease compared to
January 2003. Inadmissible persons include aliens referred to secondary inspection who
withdraw, are refused entry, are paroled in, or are referred to an Immigration Judge for a
removal hearing. Also included are expedited cases where an alien can withdraw, or receives an
expedited removal order, or is referred for a credible fear interview.

The number of inspections has not reached the levels experienced before September 11,2001. The
seasonally adjusted inspections decreased 23 percent between August 2001 and October 2001, but
have increased 7 percent since then.

Normally, apprehensions reach a yearly low in December followed by a strong seasonal increase in
January. Seasonal highs tend to be reached in early spring. Apprehensions decrease but remain
relatively high through the summer months and then start their autumn decline in September,
which continues through the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In FY 2003, Central American apprehensions on the southwest border reached 31,049, an increase
of 9,229 when compared to the previous year. For the first four months of fiscal year 2004,
southwest border Central American apprehensions reached 10,430, an increase of 34 percent
compared to the first four months of fiscal year 2003. Of the 10,430 Central Americans
apprehended in FY 2004, 42 percent were Honduran, 32 percent were El Salvadoran, 22 percent
were Guatemalan, and 3 percent were Nicaraguan.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) estimates that in January of 2000, there were
7 million illegal aliens living in the United States, a number that is growing by half a million a

http://deenareynolds.com/Statistics%20On%20Illegal%20Immigration.htm 5/3/2004

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