US Border Security Looks to the North | Voice of America - English
Border security in the United States has traditionally focused on the United States' southern neighbor, Mexico. But the emphasis at the borders has shifted radically since September 11, 2001, with a new priority on terrorism and more attention than before being given to the northern border with Canada.In March, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) -- an investigative arm of the U.S. Congress -- made a startling announcement. In a test of border security procedures, GAO investigators, using forged documentation, managed to transport radioactive material past U.S.
Gregory Kutz, chief of special investigations at the GAO, told Congress that the radioactive material was discovered by detection equipment. But, he said, the phony documentation was never challenged by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents. "Although both of our vehicles were inspected in accordance with CBP policy, we were able to enter the United States with enough radioactive sources to make two dirty bombs. The CBP inspectors never validated the existence of our fictitious company, or the authenticity of the counterfeit bill of lading and NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] documents," says Kutz. Asked if any border can be made totally secure, Deputy Chief Barker of the Customs and Border Patrol said he believes so. "It's not in the number of people that we arrest. It's certainly in being able to detect people using technology in its smartest way, having the right mix of infrastructure, technology, and personnel to be able to do that. So, yes, we can [make it secure]," says Barker. The only truly sealed borders in the world have been militarized ones like North Korea's and those of the now-defunct East Germany. As in many other aspects of this struggle against terrorists, democracies will continue to strive to find the right balance between openness and security along the borders that divide them.