Highlights of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Part III - Border Protection, Etc.)
On December 17, 2004, President Bush signed into law S. 2845, the "Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004" (Public Law (P.L.) 108-458).
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This is Part III, the final part of a multi-part series of summaries on P.L. 108-458 and focuses on Title V - Border Protection, Immigration, and Visa Matters.
Northern border security advanced technology pilot program. P.L. 108-458 states that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) may carry out a pilot program to test various advanced technologies that will improve border security between ports of entry along the northern border of the U.S.
According to P.L. 108-458, the Secretary shall design the pilot program to have the following features (partial list):
use of advanced technological systems, including sensors, video, and unmanned aerial vehicles, for border surveillance;
use of advanced computing and decision integration software for (a) evaluation of data indicating border incursions; (b) assessment of threat potential; and (c) rapid real-time communication, monitoring, intelligence gathering, deployment, and response;
testing of advanced technology systems and software to determine the best and most cost effective uses of advanced technology to improve border security; and
operation of the program in remote stretches of border lands with long distances between 24-hour ports of entry with a relatively small presence of U.S. border patrol officers.
P.L. 108-458 states that not later than one year after the date of enactment (i.e, one year after December 17, 2004) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. In addition, P.L. 108-458 authorizes appropriations to carry out the pilot program.
Southwest border surveillance. P.L. 108-458 states that not later than six months after December 17, 2004, the Secretary shall submit to the President and appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive plan for the systematic surveillance of the southwest border of the U.S. by remotely piloted aircraft.
Increase in full-time Border Patrol agents/ICE investigators. P.L. 108-458 provides that in each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010, the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, increase:
by not less than 2,000 the number of full-time activity-duty border patrol agents; and
by not less than 800 the full-time active duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigators.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/14/05 news, 05031415 for Part I on air cargo security, etc. See ITT's Online Archives or 03/16/05 news, 05031610, for Part II on maritime security.)
P.L. 108-458 available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ458.108.pdf.