The Responsibilities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Dennis AuBuchon
March 03, 2010
This agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security and has a distinct mission. It is not a complex one but one that is vital to the security of our country. The mission is noted below:
We are the guardians of our Nation´s borders,
We are America´s frontline.
We safeguard the American Homeland
At and beyond our borders.
We protect the American public against terrorists
and the instruments of terror.
We steadfastly enforce the laws of the Unite States
while fostering our Nation´s economic security
through lawful international trade and travel.
We serve the American public with
vigilance, integrity and professionalism
The core values are vigilance, service to country and integrity. The employees of this agency are dedicated to this country and protecting our borders. There is much more work yet to be done to secure our borders but the job this agency is doing is to be commended. Many employees put their lives on the line like other individuals serving our country and their communities but they often come under fire for their actions. I have no problem with taking action against those who violate applicable laws or our Constitution but there must be clear evidence that such violations exist before action is taken.
In the past border patrol employees have been arrested and there may or may not have been justification for this action. Each case of this nature rests on their own merits but the precedent of arresting border patrol employees and letting go those they have detained, is in my opinion, irresponsible. If border patrol employees are doing their job it sends a bad signal to others about watching how they accomplish their assigned tasks. This can lead to safety concerns as they would be worried about how their actions are viewed after the fact. They may think twice before taking action and this can cause injury or death of these employees.
Border patrol employees help to make this country safer and should be treated with respect. They and others that are helping to secure our borders should be thanked, not prosecuted. Those that are doing their jobs within the limits of the applicable laws should be recognized for the service that they perform. I for one thank those for their dedication in this respect. The tasks of a border patrol employee can be dangerous and those individuals and the people who support them should also be recognized. Border patrol employees are just one aspect of the Department of Homeland Security requirements.
The mission and responsibilities of this agency can sometimes put employees in dangerous situations. When an individual is placed in such circumstances they must make split second decisions. While it is important to assure all our laws are upheld in the performance of assigned duties, those responsible for enforcement must consider the circumstances. There are many federal employees who are placed in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations that are not limited to this agency. Making decisions to prosecute a federal employee must be done with caution as prosecuting someone for doing their job sends the wrong signal to others.
There is much discussion on how to better protect our borders and everyone in Washington seems to have their own opinion. While the methods needed to increase border security are being established, it is important that anyone acting within the law should be appreciated. Many times it takes citizens and communities to back public employees such as the border patrol employees to make a difference in the outcome. Typically Congress and the President at the federal level have the responsibility to determine the methods to increase border security. It is my opinion that many good ideas come from private citizens concerning issues that are controversial. These ideas, if they are not extreme should be evaluated on their merits and not penalized through the courts. Private citizens being involved with issues is something that should be encouraged. Private citizens developing ways to do things better is what makes this country great.
We are a nation of immigrants. Developing a solution to the current problem of immigration must be accomplished. I am not for an amnesty program but I do feel that there needs to be a method to recognize those individuals that fulfill a need and provide them with a way to remain in this country. In this option there should be a pathway to citizenship and also a process to review their activity while in the United States. This process should not place them ahead of those that are using the legal path to become citizens. Those individuals who violate the law while they are here do not deserve to acquire citizenship in the United States. As they are identified methods should be in place to take appropriate action including prosecution and/or deportation. These methods should be established if not in place or enforce those that are in place that are applicable to the situation.
In the previous paragraph I identified the need to have a process in place to recognize those individuals that fulfill a need and provide them with a way to remain in this country. Establishing this process must take place but closing off the option for other illegal immigrants to enter this country should be the primary goal. Both goals must be achieved. Immigration is an issue that in some cases is controversial as to what should be done with those already hear and those trying to enter the country illegally. It is important to have methods to identify those individuals who want to come to this country to cause us harm. Examples of these individuals are those who have criminal backgrounds or those with links to terrorist organizations or activity.
There are many issues facing our country but immigration is one that involves the security of our country. A defined immigration policy must be created and address the need and authority of local law enforcement agencies to be involved in securing their own community. Immigration officials at the federal level cannot be everywhere. It is also important to provide some authority and involvement at the local level through an immigration policy created at the federal level. Recent information in the news media indicated that this agency is using new technology to protect our borders. This is great. Any agency of the federal government must have the latest tools and technology to accomplish their individual mission and in this case to keep them safe. Safety is important for any agency or department with this type of exposure to dangerous situations. Those that serve to protect us must have the equipment to keep them safe.
We are the guardians of our Nation´s borders,
We are America´s frontline.
We safeguard the American Homeland
At and beyond our borders.
We protect the American public against terrorists
and the instruments of terror.
We steadfastly enforce the laws of the Unite States
while fostering our Nation´s economic security
through lawful international trade and travel.
We serve the American public with
vigilance, integrity and professionalism
The core values are vigilance, service to country and integrity. The employees of this agency are dedicated to this country and protecting our borders. There is much more work yet to be done to secure our borders but the job this agency is doing is to be commended. Many employees put their lives on the line like other individuals serving our country and their communities but they often come under fire for their actions. I have no problem with taking action against those who violate applicable laws or our Constitution but there must be clear evidence that such violations exist before action is taken.
In the past border patrol employees have been arrested and there may or may not have been justification for this action. Each case of this nature rests on their own merits but the precedent of arresting border patrol employees and letting go those they have detained, is in my opinion, irresponsible. If border patrol employees are doing their job it sends a bad signal to others about watching how they accomplish their assigned tasks. This can lead to safety concerns as they would be worried about how their actions are viewed after the fact. They may think twice before taking action and this can cause injury or death of these employees.
Border patrol employees help to make this country safer and should be treated with respect. They and others that are helping to secure our borders should be thanked, not prosecuted. Those that are doing their jobs within the limits of the applicable laws should be recognized for the service that they perform. I for one thank those for their dedication in this respect. The tasks of a border patrol employee can be dangerous and those individuals and the people who support them should also be recognized. Border patrol employees are just one aspect of the Department of Homeland Security requirements.
The mission and responsibilities of this agency can sometimes put employees in dangerous situations. When an individual is placed in such circumstances they must make split second decisions. While it is important to assure all our laws are upheld in the performance of assigned duties, those responsible for enforcement must consider the circumstances. There are many federal employees who are placed in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations that are not limited to this agency. Making decisions to prosecute a federal employee must be done with caution as prosecuting someone for doing their job sends the wrong signal to others.
There is much discussion on how to better protect our borders and everyone in Washington seems to have their own opinion. While the methods needed to increase border security are being established, it is important that anyone acting within the law should be appreciated. Many times it takes citizens and communities to back public employees such as the border patrol employees to make a difference in the outcome. Typically Congress and the President at the federal level have the responsibility to determine the methods to increase border security. It is my opinion that many good ideas come from private citizens concerning issues that are controversial. These ideas, if they are not extreme should be evaluated on their merits and not penalized through the courts. Private citizens being involved with issues is something that should be encouraged. Private citizens developing ways to do things better is what makes this country great.
We are a nation of immigrants. Developing a solution to the current problem of immigration must be accomplished. I am not for an amnesty program but I do feel that there needs to be a method to recognize those individuals that fulfill a need and provide them with a way to remain in this country. In this option there should be a pathway to citizenship and also a process to review their activity while in the United States. This process should not place them ahead of those that are using the legal path to become citizens. Those individuals who violate the law while they are here do not deserve to acquire citizenship in the United States. As they are identified methods should be in place to take appropriate action including prosecution and/or deportation. These methods should be established if not in place or enforce those that are in place that are applicable to the situation.
In the previous paragraph I identified the need to have a process in place to recognize those individuals that fulfill a need and provide them with a way to remain in this country. Establishing this process must take place but closing off the option for other illegal immigrants to enter this country should be the primary goal. Both goals must be achieved. Immigration is an issue that in some cases is controversial as to what should be done with those already hear and those trying to enter the country illegally. It is important to have methods to identify those individuals who want to come to this country to cause us harm. Examples of these individuals are those who have criminal backgrounds or those with links to terrorist organizations or activity.
There are many issues facing our country but immigration is one that involves the security of our country. A defined immigration policy must be created and address the need and authority of local law enforcement agencies to be involved in securing their own community. Immigration officials at the federal level cannot be everywhere. It is also important to provide some authority and involvement at the local level through an immigration policy created at the federal level. Recent information in the news media indicated that this agency is using new technology to protect our borders. This is great. Any agency of the federal government must have the latest tools and technology to accomplish their individual mission and in this case to keep them safe. Safety is important for any agency or department with this type of exposure to dangerous situations. Those that serve to protect us must have the equipment to keep them safe.
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