Thread: Northern Border Needs More Agents, GAO Says

Northern border needs more agents

By MARC HELLER
TIMES WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2008

A A A WASHINGTON — The continually expanding U.S. Border Patrol plans to double the number of agents deployed at the northern border by 2010 — but that still may not be enough to secure the border, a congressional study found.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported despite its rapid expansion since 9-11, the Border Patrol told researchers it will need still more agents in order to establish operational control along the U.S. boundary with Canada.

About 1,300 agents are stationed on the northern border out of a total of 17,000 agents nationwide, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported. The agency aimed to have a total of 18,000 agents by the end of this year.

Part of the reason for staffing shortages is the way the Border Patrol hires and moves agents, officials say. They typically begin work at the southern border — where fighting illegal immigration is a bigger mission — and are later moved to the northern border.

In addition, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has cited the agency's loss of employees and sluggishness at refilling positions, which he said is hurting morale. He also has noted the Homeland Security Department's decision not to request funds for a retirement program that could improve recruitment and retention.

The GAO, an investigative arm of Congress, cited Border Patrol officials' comments that some ports of entry remain short staffed despite the deployment of 190 officers to those stations.

Investigators at the GAO criticized the Border Patrol for sharing limited information about vulnerabilities along the border and the department's efforts, including with members of Congress. By doing so, the GAO said, the agency limits lawmakers' ability to meet the Border Patrols needs in the federal budget.

In addition, the GAO reported, DHS has implemented just 11 recommendations out of 50 recommended by GAO after the 9-11 attacks to improve border security, although 18 of them were issued within the past year.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/arti ... ore+agents

I think both borders need more agents.

We need around 3 thousand agents to go from business to business and make sure immigrants are not taking citizens jobs, immediately.

Then take 2/3 of these agents and put at the Borders and Customs. Agent can and should be moved to areas were problems are, as temporary duty if needed. Job description of all immigration agents should include temporary duties in any area of the country.

This way people would be doing their jobs in the immigration service, thoroughly. Otherwise others would catch poor behavior and crimes being committed.