	DHS Has Reported Progress in Addressing Illegal Cross-Border Activity, but Could Improve Assessment of Its Efforts

		Border Patrol Has Reported Some Success in Addressing Illegal Migration, but Challenges Remain in Assessing Efforts and Identifying Resource Needs

Since fiscal year 2011, DHS has used changes in the number of  apprehensions on the southwest border between POEs as an interim  measure for border security, as reported in its annual performance  reports. These data generally mirrored a  decrease in estimated known illegal entries in each southwest border  sector. As we testified in February 2013, data reported by Border Patrol  following the issuance of our December 2012 report showed that total  apprehensions across the southwest border increased from over 327,000  in fiscal year 2011 to about 357,000 in fiscal year 2012.assess whether this increase indicates a change in the trend for Border  Patrol apprehensions across the southwest border. Through fiscal year  2011, Border Patrol attributed decreases in apprehensions across sectors  in part to changes in the U.S. economy, achievement of strategic  objectives, and increased resources for border security. Border Patrol is in the process of developing performance goals and  measures for assessing the progress of its efforts to secure the border  between POEs and for informing the identification and allocation of  resources needed to secure the border, but has not yet identified  milestones and time frames for developing and implementing them. We testified in February 2013 that the  interim goal and measure of number of apprehensions on the southwest  border between POEs provides information on activity levels but does not  inform program results or resource identification and allocation decisions,  and therefore until new goals and measures are developed, DHS and  Congress could experience reduced oversight and DHS accountability. DHS concurred with our  recommendations and stated that it plans to set a date for when it will  establish such milestones and time frames by November 2013. GAO is reviewing  CBP’s analysis of the covert test results and other documentation as part  of a congressional mandate to review actions the agency has taken to  address GAO recommendations regarding CBP officer training. DHS concurred with this recommendation. We reported in November 2010 that information sharing and  communication among DHS, DOI, and USDA law enforcement officials  had increased in recent years. Federal agencies  also established interagency agreements to strengthen coordination of  border security efforts. However, we reported in November 2010 that  gaps remained in implementing interagency agreements to ensure law  enforcement officials had access to daily threat information to better  ensure officer safety and an efficient law enforcement response to illegal  activity. We recommended that DHS, DOI, and USDA provide oversight and  accountability as needed to further implement interagency agreements for  coordinating information and integrating operations. These agencies  agreed with our recommendations, and in January 2011, CBP issued a  memorandum to all Border Patrol division chiefs and chief patrol agents  emphasizing the importance of USDA and DOI partnerships to address  border security threats on federal lands. While this is a positive step, to  fully satisfy the intent of our recommendation, DHS would need to take  further action to monitor and uphold implementation of the existing  interagency agreements to enhance border security on federal lands. Opportunities Exist to Improve DHS’s Management of Border Security Assets

		DHS Has Deployed Assets to Secure the Borders, but Has Not Provided Complete Information on Plans, Metrics, and Costs

In November 2005, DHS launched the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a  multiyear, multibillion-dollar program aimed at securing U.S. borders and  reducing illegal immigration. SBInet was conceived as a surveillance technology to create a “virtual  fence” along the border, and after spending nearly $1 billion, DHS  deployed SBInet systems along 53 miles of Arizona’s border that  represent the highest risk for illegal entry. In January 2011, in response to  concerns regarding SBInet’s performance, cost, and schedule, DHS  canceled future procurements. CBP developed the Arizona Border  Surveillance Technology Plan (the Plan) for the remainder of the Arizona  border. In developing  the Plan, CBP conducted an analysis of alternatives and outreach to  potential vendors. As we reported in November 2011, without  documentation of the analysis justifying the specific types, quantities, and  deployment locations of border surveillance technologies proposed in the  Plan, an independent party cannot verify the process followed, identify  how the analysis of alternatives was used, assess the validity of the  decisions made, or justify the funding requested. DHS concurred with these recommendations,  and has reported taking action to address some of the recommendations. We currently have ongoing work in this area for congressional requesters  and, among other things, are examining DHS’s efforts to address prior  recommendations, and expect to issue a report with our final results in the  fall of 2013. Related GAO Products

Border Security: DHS’s Progress and Challenges in Securing U.S.
Why GAO Did This Study

At the end of fiscal year 2004, DHS had about 28,100 personnel assigned to patrol U.S. land borders and inspect travelers at air, land, and sea POEs, with a total security cost of about $5.9 billion. At the end of fiscal year 2011, DHS had about 41,400 personnel assigned to air, land, and sea POEs and along the borders, with a total security cost of about $11.8 billion. DHS has reported that these resources have contributed to stronger enforcement efforts on the border. However, challenges remain to secure the border. In recent years, GAO has reported on a variety of DHS border security programs and operations.
As requested, this statement addresses some of the key issues and recommendations GAO has made in the following areas: (1) DHSs efforts to secure the border at and between POEs; (2) DHS interagency coordination and oversight of border security information sharing and enforcement efforts; and (3) DHS management of infrastructure, technology, and other assets used to secure the border. This statement is based on prior products GAO issued from January 2008 through March 2013, along with selected updates conducted in April 2013. For selected updates, GAO reviewed DHS information on actions it has taken to address prior GAO recommendations.

What GAO Found

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has reported progress in stemming illegal cross-border activity, but it could strengthen the assessment of its efforts. For example, since fiscal year 2011, DHS has used the number of apprehensions on the southwest border between ports of entry (POE) as an interim measure for border security. GAO reported in December 2012 that apprehensions decreased across the southwest border from fiscal years 2006 through 2011, generally mirroring a decrease in estimated known illegal entries in each southwest border sector. CBP attributed this decrease in part to changes in the U.S. economy and increased resources for border security. Data reported by CBP's Office of Border Patrol (Border Patrol) show that total apprehensions across the southwest border increased from over 327,000 in fiscal year 2011 to about 357,000 in fiscal year 2012. It is too early to assess whether this increase indicates a change in the trend. GAO testified in February 2013 that the number of apprehensions provides information on activity levels but does not inform program results or resource allocation decisions. Border Patrol is in the process of developing performance goals and measures for assessing the progress of its efforts to secure the border between POEs, but it has not identified milestones and time frames for developing and implementing them, as GAO recommended. DHS concurred with GAO's recommendations and said that it plans to set a date for establishing such milestones and time frames by November 2013.
According to DHS law enforcement partners, interagency coordination and information sharing improved, but challenges remain. GAO reported in November 2010 that information sharing and communication among federal law enforcement officials responsible for federal borderlands had increased; however, gaps remained in ensuring law enforcement officials had access to daily threat information. GAO recommended that relevant federal agencies ensure interagency agreements for coordinating information and integrating border security operations are further implemented. These agencies agreed, and in January 2011, CBP issued a memorandum affirming the importance of federal partnerships to address border security threats on federal lands. While this is a positive step, to fully satisfy the intent of GAO's recommendation, DHS needs to take further action to monitor and uphold implementation of the existing interagency agreements.
Opportunities exist to improve DHS's management of border security assets. For example, DHS conceived the Secure Border Initiative Network as a surveillance technology and deployed such systems along 53 miles of Arizona's border. In January 2011, in response to performance, cost, and schedule concerns, DHS canceled future procurements, and developed the Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan (the Plan) for the remainder of the Arizona border. GAO reported in November 2011 that in developing the Plan, CBP conducted an analysis of alternatives, but it had not documented the analysis justifying the specific types, quantities, and deployment locations of technologies proposed in the Plan, which GAO recommended that it do. DHS concurred with this recommendation. GAO has ongoing work in this area, and among other things, is examining DHS's efforts to address prior recommendations, and expects to issue a report in fall 2013.

What GAO Recommends

In prior reports, GAO made recommendations to DHS to strengthen its border security programs and efforts. DHS generally concurred and has taken actions, or has actions planned or underway to address them.