U.S. Customs and Border Protection
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is the country's primary border control organization, charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, as well as enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States. It has a workforce of more than 45,600 federal agents and officers. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Some of the key events about U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- 2003Established as a unified border security agency within the Department of Homeland Security
- 2003Controversial "Operation Endgame" plan aimed to remove all removable aliens within 10 years
- 2004Launched the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program to enhance supply chain security
- 2005Implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to strengthen border security
- 2006Introduced the Secure Border Initiative to enhance border surveillance technology
- 2006Allegations of racial profiling and civil rights violations during border enforcement operations
- 2008Deployed the first Predator B unmanned aircraft for border surveillance
- 2008Criticism for inadequate medical care leading to deaths in immigration detention facilities
- 2010Launched the Trusted Traveler Programs to expedite screening for pre-approved travelers
- 2010Excessive use of force reported in multiple incidents at the U.S.-Mexico border
- 2011Implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for enhanced security screening
- 2013Introduced the Automated Passport Control kiosks to expedite entry processing at airports
- 2014Overcrowding and poor conditions in detention facilities for unaccompanied minors
- 2015Expanded the use of biometric technology for traveler verification
- 2017Increased interior enforcement actions leading to separation of families
- 2018Implemented the Biometric Exit program to enhance tracking of foreign visitors leaving the U.S.
- 2018Implementation of "zero tolerance" policy resulting in widespread family separations at the border
- 2019Reports of unsanitary and inhumane conditions in migrant detention centers
- 2020Deployment of federal agents to Portland, Oregon, during protests, leading to accusations of excessive force
- 2021Allegations of mistreatment and abuse of Haitian migrants at the Del Rio, Texas border
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