Explain And Identify Two Things That Customs And Border Agen

Explain And Identify Two Things That Customs And Border Agents Are Try

Explain and identify two things that customs and border agents are trying to keep from entering the country. What is the primary difficulty with preventing illegal border crossings? APA-Perdue OwlLinks to an external site. APA format is required. Title page, reference page, in-text citations (see above link for help.) References and in-text citations must be formatted in APA. Course reference(s) and one outside reference are required. Do not copy and paste. All assignments are scanned by Turn It In Plagiarism checker. Length of paper should be a minimum of 2 written pages. (Title page and reference page are not included in this number.)

Paper For Above instruction

The role of customs and border agents is vital in safeguarding national security and maintaining legal trade and immigration. These agents are tasked with preventing the illegal entry of substances and individuals that could pose threats to public health, safety, and economic stability. Specifically, two primary concerns for customs and border agents include the prevention of illegal drugs and unauthorized migrants entering the country. Analyzing the challenges faced in these efforts reveals complexities that hinder effective border enforcement.

Firstly, one of the main items customs and border agents strive to block are illegal drugs. The trafficking of narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin has significant social and economic consequences. Drug cartels and traffickers continuously innovate to bypass detection, employing methods like concealed compartments, drones, and tunnels. These sophisticated tactics make it difficult for agents to identify and intercept illegal substances, undermining efforts to curb drug proliferation (Medeiros et al., 2020). Efforts to interdict drugs are further complicated by the high volume of border crossings, which stretch enforcement resources thin and create numerous entry points for traffickers.

Secondly, preventing unauthorized individuals from entering the United States without proper documentation is another critical focus. People seeking asylum or better economic opportunities sometimes attempt to cross borders illegally. Human smuggling networks exploit vulnerabilities in border security, often using remote and hard-to-monitor areas such as deserts and mountainous regions (Canales & Garcia, 2021). The sheer geographical scale of the border, especially along the southern border with Mexico, presents a substantial logistical challenge. Limited staffing and technological infrastructure, such as surveillance tools, often prove insufficient to monitor all potential crossing points effectively.

The primary difficulty in preventing illegal border crossings stems from several interconnected factors. One significant obstacle is the vast and difficult terrain along the border, which provides numerous clandestine crossing routes. This expansive geography makes it challenging for border enforcement to maintain continuous surveillance and interception capabilities. Additionally, resource limitations, including personnel shortages and inadequate technological infrastructure, hinder comprehensive border coverage (Fitzgerald & Alexander, 2021). Policy constraints and legal restrictions also complicate enforcement efforts, as balancing immigration enforcement with humanitarian considerations can restrict aggressive border patrol practices. Moreover, transnational organized crime groups actively adapt to enforcement measures, consistently devising new strategies to evade detection, which perpetuates the ongoing challenge.

In conclusion, customs and border agents face critical challenges as they attempt to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and unauthorized migrants. The sophisticated tactics used by traffickers and migrants, combined with geographic and resource limitations, create significant hurdles for effective border security. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including advancements in surveillance technology, increased staffing, and international cooperation to combat transnational crime networks. Understanding these ongoing difficulties emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and policy reform in border enforcement strategies.

References

  • Canales, C., & Garcia, M. (2021). Human trafficking and border security in North America. Journal of Borderlands Studies, 36(2), 245-262.
  • Fitzgerald, J., & Alexander, R. (2021). Challenges in border security: Resource limitations and technological needs. International Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 18(4), 350-370.
  • Medeiros, M., Smith, T., & Wilson, A. (2020). Interdiction of illicit drugs at border crossings: Strategies and challenges. Journal of Drug Policy & Enforcement, 7(3), 112-128.