The Hill News

As Congress considers how to move forward with funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), it would be wise to consider its recent successes in fighting illegal immigration, and the unintended consequences on legitimate trade and travel. Cross-border tourism and trade, which is so vital to our economic recovery, is suffering as a result of an unbalanced approach toward the Southwest border.


In recent years, responding to constituent concerns, politicians have jumped on the border security bandwagon, insisting on the need for more Border Patrol and National Guard, especially along the Southwest border. 


Accordingly, appropriations for Border Patrol, which is an agency under CBP, have leaped from $1.06 billion in FY 2000 to $3.54 billion in FY 2011. This represents a 238 percent jump. The results have been nothing less than astounding. In the 11 months ending in August, Border Patrol apprehended 304,755 illegal immigrants along the Southwest! border, down from a peak of about 1.6 million in 2000. Meanwhile, seizures of narcotics continue to increase. 


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