Our Impact

New Border Security Technologies Pilot Program initiated Bringing LIDAR into the forefront.

The same technology used in self-driving cars is being touted as a potential high-tech solution to the US border wall conundrum—with some added benefits. At least one startup at the Consumer Electronics show is showcasing how Lidar, a laser-based detection system widely used in autonomous vehicles, could be deployed along the US-Mexico border at a far lower cost than a physical wall or fence, and with fewer environmental impacts.

An electronic solution offers additional benefits, including for the environment and in operating costs. More technology solutions mean that Border Patrol Agents can be strategically placed along the border to be more effective in apprehending illegal border-crossers.

A decade ago, the US government canceled plans for an electronic fence, amid concerns it would be ineffective. But new technologies have vastly improved in recent years, notably with the development of Lidar—light detection and ranging technology—paired with artificial intelligence.

Maritime Security is best achieved by blending public and private maritime security activities on a global scale.

Maritime Security training of personnel continues to be one of the core tasks of our agency. The US Coast Guard is our countries primary agencies in all matters maritime with approximately 38,000 active duty personnel. Considering the critical infrastructure located within our ports, their service is critical in the safety and security of our country’s homeland and economic security.

We have played an active role in the training of hundreds of personnel from local and state agencies who act as a force multiplier for the USCG. It is only through a collaborative effort that national standard training is delivered to personnel throughout the country. Teaching one standard allows for officers to be integrated seamlessly in the event a natural or man-made disaster occurs. Over the years we have and continue to train officers and first responders, including fire services and EMS, in a wide range of technical skills.

Our courses have been taught throughout the US and to the US territory of Guam. We are currently in negotiations to bring training to South Korea, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.

“In reference to the border, we have to stop the bleeding before we can diagnose the problem.”

Nelson Balido Jr. | April 2019

CBP releases latest numbers showing 1.4 million migrants entered US lawfully over past 2 years.

Release Date:

October 22, 2024

FOX NEWS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its latest report Tuesday, showing illegal crossings remained low and flat through September, though nearly 1.4 million migrants have been allowed to enter the country lawfully under two controversial Biden-Harris administration programs in less than two years.

What is likely the final monthly update before Election Day, the CBP dropped its operational statistics on Tuesday for fiscal year 2024, which includes September 2024’s monthly operational update.

"During Fiscal Year 2024, CBP significantly increased its enforcement efforts and realized a substantial decrease in southwest border encounters, "Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner said. "CBP continued to identify and respond to new threats posed by the transnational criminal organizations profiting from the exploitation of vulnerable people, taking unprecedented measures to dismantle and disrupt these operations. We have surged our enforcement efforts to further crack down on the smuggling of illicit opioids, including fentanyl, and implementing new measures to disrupt the supply chain of deadly narcotics."

The report credits a proclamation issued by President Biden on June 5 to secure the southern border for what it called a "meaningful decrease in unlawful border crossings – including a more than 55% decrease in encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border."

BIDEN ADMIN WON'T EXTEND PAROLE FOR 500,000+ MIGRANTS IN US VIA CONTROVERSIAL FLIGHT PROGRAM

Migrants wait in line to enter the shelter along the southern border. (Christian Torres Chavez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

CBP also said in the report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed or returned over 160,000 individuals to over 145 countries between June 5 and the end of September. During the same period, the report noted, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operated more than 495 international repatriation flights.

CBP also touted CBP One, a government mobile app for migrants seeking asylum at the southern border. The same app has drawn scrutiny for its lack of vetting migrants.

NEW POLL REVEALS TRUMP HAS SIGNIFICANT LEAD ON IMMIGRATION, BORDER SECURITY IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE

Signs announcing the CPB One mobile application at the port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Between January 2023 and the end of September 2024, over 852,000 individuals successfully scheduled appointments at ports of entry, the report notes.

The top nationalities of those who were processed with an appointment made through the app were Venezuelan, Cuban, Mexican and Haitian.

Through the end of September 2024, over 531,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) arrived lawfully on commercial flights and were granted parole under the process.

BIDEN ADMIN FREEZES CONTROVERSIAL MIGRANT FLIGHT PROGRAM AFTER FRAUD REVELATIONS

Border Patrol picks up a group of migrants on the southern border near Sasabe, Ariz. (Justin Hamel/Getty Images)

Specifically, the program processed over 111,000 Cubans, nearly 214,000 Haitians, over 96,000 Nicaraguans, and nearly 121,000 Venezuelans.

The program was first implemented for Venezuelans in October 2022, and extended to other nationalities in January 2023. It allows migrants to use the CBP One app to enter the U.S. on temporary parole for two years and receive a work permit if they pass background checks and have a sponsor. It was part of the Biden-Harris administration's expansion of "lawful pathways" to tackle the border crisis.

The program has received furious opposition from Republicans, some of whom have described the administration as running migrant flights, but under this program, migrants must organize their own travel. Republicans said the program was an abuse of parole, which is limited to a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Earlier this month, the Biden-Harris administration said it would not extend the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants who came to the U.S. through the CHNV program that was halted earlier this year because of discoveries of fraud in the program.

DHS DOCS REVEAL WHERE PAROLED MIGRANTS UNDER CONTROVERSIAL BIDEN FLIGHT PROGRAM ARE LANDING

Texas National Guard troops watch over more than 1,000 immigrants who had crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico, Dec. 18, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)

The White House issued a statement about CBP’s latest report.

"The data published today by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that since the President announced new executive actions to secure the border on June 4, unlawful border crossings have dropped by more than 55% to the lowest levels in over four years," White House Spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández said. "Encounters between ports of entry are lower than they were during the last several months of the previous Administration."