Washington, DC U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is theunified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CBPcombined the inspectional workforces and broad border authorities of U.S.Customs, U.S. Immigration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and theentire U.S. Border Patrol.

CBP includes more than 41,000 employees to manage, control andprotect the Nations borders, at and between the official ports of entry.U.S. Customs and Border Protection is addressing the terrorist threatnationwide, stated Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. There have been concernsthat terrorists will try to enter our country across our Southern Border. Thesereports are not new to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and we have beenpreparing for the possibility and are taking appropriate actions to bettersecure our borders against the terrorist threat.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has taken a number of steps toincrease security across our borders during the period of increased riskleading up to the presidential election. These actions and initiatives include abroad range of strategies and defenses that CBP deploys in its anti-terrormission. CBPs protective measures include intensified activities in the areasof passenger processing, cargo targeting and inspection, non-intrusivetechnology inspections, as well as a number of initiatives to increase securityalong the U.S. Mexico Border.

In addition to the above critical actions:

CBP works with national intelligence agencies to share data onsuspicious activity, and shares information with CBP personnel on the frontlines. We are providing extensive anti-terrorism training to uniformedpersonnel, including specific mention of U.S. Mexico Border threats. CBP hasalso increased coordination and intelligence sharing with Mexican contactsthrough the Mexican Liaison Units on the Southern Borders. CBPs Office ofBorder Patrol is currently working closely with these units in response toinformation received and ongoing joint operations.

In conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICEs)Anti-Smuggling Units and CBP's Office of Intelligence, CBPs Office of BorderPatrol focuses its intelligence and surveillance operations on known smugglingoperations that have previously trafficked aliens from significant interestcountries, and develop operations to target and disrupt these especiallyhigh-interest smuggling activities.

CBP provides referrals for criminal prosecutions for alienspossessing fraudulent documents, making false statements, or committing otherimmigration violations, where there is a suspicion of a connection of terrorismor other national security interest.

Works with the FBI and ICE to improve response and feedback toborder interdictions that involve individuals that potentially pose a risk forterrorism.

CBP uses 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support the ArizonaBorder Control Initiative.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reassigned 200 CBP BorderPatrol Agents to the high-threat smuggling corridors of the Arizona Mexicoborder. CBP is continuing deployments of special units including the BorderPatrol Tactical Unit, Special Response Teams, and the Border Patrol SearchTrauma and Rescue Team in these areas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection willmaintain and expand coordinated, heightened security efforts under the ArizonaBorder Control Initiative (ABCI) to establish operational control over theweakest and most vulnerable area of our Southwest Border where more than 40percent of illegal aliens are apprehended.

Conducts increased inspections of rail, truck and air cargoidentified through CBPs Automated Targeting System to ensure that allhigh-risk cargo is subject to further examination. In addition, CBP isincreasing the number of examinations utilizing large-scale non-intrusiveinspection systems.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is addressing the terroristthreat 24-hours a day. We have a multi-layered approach that encompasses workingwith our foreign counterparts, employing intelligence, technology, advancedinformation in the field and the most professional and dedicated law enforcementworkforce worldwide, Commissioner Bonner said. We are aware of theterrorist threat and are evolving hourly to face it and keep America safe.