ABSTRACT
The task of protecting the nation’s borders constitutes a major core competency for those involved in homeland security. It is an astounding responsibility with coverage areas that are almost impossible to compute. Since 1924, a Border Patrol office has been responsible for making our territorial lines secure, but much has changed since the early days of border protection. In recent years, the Border Patrol has become increasingly occupied with mass migrations as well as immigrants. Both tasks are very challenging. The Border Patrol, as a result of the events of 9/11, was merged into the Department of Homeland Security and then further aligned with its historic partner, Customs. The Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) evaluates capabilities for large-scale radiation scanning of cargo before it ever reaches the United States. Presently, the SFI program is operating at less than a dozen foreign ports with a goal to fully scan all inbound cargo.
