US Border Patrol

The United States Border Patrol, headed by the Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, is the primary Federal law enforcement organization responsible for preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States between official Customs and Border Protection ports of entry. The Border Patrol is also responsible for preventing the illicit trafficking of people and contraband between the official ports of entry. The Border Patrol was officially established on May 28, 1924 by an act of Congress passed in response to increasing illegal immigration. As mandated by this Act, the small border guard in what was then the Bureau of Immigration was reorganized into the Border Patrol. The initial force of 450 officers was given the responsibility of combating illegal entries and the growing business of alien smuggling. Today, the Border Patrol has a work force of more than 20,000 agents and 2,000 mission support personnel. The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. Agents work around the clock on assignments, in all types of terrain and weather conditions. Agents also work in many isolated communities throughout the United States. The current Chief of the United States Border Patrol is Raul L. Ortiz. He and his staff are posted in Washington, DC and oversee all USBP operations nationally.