By Justin O'Brien
February 17, 2003

In a move to increase efficiency and effectiveness in border security and inspection activities, on January 30th President Bush proposed that border agencies be brought together under the umbrella of a new Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. He also proposed that the Bureau of Border Security, created as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, be renamed the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The intent of this change is to bring new focus to homeland security inspection and investigation activities. Both bureaus and their respective activities will remain within the scope of the Border and Transportation Directorate headed by Department of Homeland Security Under'secretary Asa Hutchinson. He is the former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Chief and, before that, an Arkansas Congressman.

The Department said that the 300 land-based ports'of-entry on the Mexican and Canadian borders will be better served by the reorganization. A press release January 30th said the change will help the Directorate meets its strategic twin goals of improving security at the border while facilitating "unimpeded and reliable" cross'border flows of commerce and people.

The reorganization will join investigators with investigators and inspectors with inspectors, while removing obstacles to internal communication and information'sharing at the same time clearly delineating lines of authority. The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's operations will focus on the movement of goods and people. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will focus on enforcement of the full range of immigration and customs laws. The latter will also be responsible for the protection of specified federal buildings. The unification of the investigative arms is also expected to improve information'sharing with the FBI.