U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Robert Bonner

D Spero

W. Ralph Basham

Jayson P. Ahern, Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Alan-Bersin

Federal law enforcement agency of the United States

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs, and immigration.

History

CBP was established on March 1, 2003, as part of the reorganization of federal agencies under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It combined employees from the United States Customs Service, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the United States Border Patrol.

Mission

The primary mission of CBP is to safeguard America's borders, thereby protecting the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the nation's global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel. CBP's mission includes:

• Preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States
• Securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws
• Protecting American agricultural and economic interests from harmful pests and diseases

Organization

CBP is headed by a Commissioner, who is appointed by the President of the United States. The agency is divided into several offices, each responsible for different aspects of its mission:

• Office of Field Operations (OFO)
• United States Border Patrol (USBP)
• Office of Air and Marine Operations (AMO)
• Office of Trade
• Office of Intelligence

Operations

CBP operates at over 300 ports of entry across the United States, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings. The agency employs a variety of technologies and methods to carry out its mission, including:

• Automated Targeting System (ATS)
• Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Canine Enforcement Program

Training and Employment

CBP employs over 60,000 people, including officers, agents, and support staff. New employees undergo rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) before being assigned to their respective duties.

Related Pages

• United States Department of Homeland Security
• United States Border Patrol
• United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
• Homeland Security Act of 2002

See Also

• Automated Targeting System
• Non-Intrusive Inspection
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
• Canine Enforcement Program