GAO Testifies on Security Vulnerabilities at Unmanned and Unmonitored U.S. Border Locations
In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, the Government Accountability Office reported on security vulnerabilities at unmanned and unmonitored U.S. border locations.
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GAO Investigators Assessed Seven U.S. Border Areas
GAO's testimony addressed what its investigators found during a limited security assessment of seven border areas that were unmanned, unmonitored, or both-four at the U.S.-Canada border and three at the U.S.-Mexico border. In three of the four locations on the U.S.-Canada border, investigators carried a duffel bag across the border to simulate the cross-border movement of radioactive materials or other contraband.
The GAO notes that safety considerations prevented GAO investigators from attempting to cross north into the U.S. from a starting point in Mexico.
GAO Finds Security Vulnerabilities at both Northern and Southern Borders
The GAO concluded that its visits to the northern border show that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) faces significant challenges in effectively monitoring the border and preventing undetected entry into the U.S. Its work shows that a determined cross-border violator would likely be able to bring radioactive materials or other contraband undetected into the U.S. by crossing the U.S.-Canada border at any of the locations that GAO investigated.
CBP records indicate that it does successfully stop many individuals from crossing the border illegally, but GAO notes that its own observations and experiences (along with CBP's acknowledgment of existing challenges) lead it to conclude that more human capital and technological capabilities are needed to effectively protect the northern border.
GAO's observations on the southern border showed a significant disparity between the large law enforcement presence on state lands in one state and what seemed to be a lack of law enforcement presence on federally managed lands.
CBP Blames Resource Restrictions for Vulnerabilities
GAO testified that when it met with CBP officials to discuss the results of its investigation, CBP officials clarified their approach to law enforcement in unmanned and unmonitored areas at the northern and southern U.S. borders, including an explanation of jurisdictional issues on federally managed lands.
CBP indicated that resource restrictions prevent U.S. Border Patrol agents from investigating all instances of suspicious activity. CBP added that the northern border presents more of a challenge than the southern border and that many antiquated ports of entry exist.
GAO contact - Gregory Kutz (202) 512-7455
GAO testimony (GAO-07-884T, dated 09/27/07) available at http://finance.senate.gov/hearings/testimony/2007test/092707testgk.pdf.
Video of Senate Finance Committee hearing available at http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearings.htm.