Homeland Security|Course hero helper

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for securing the country’s borders and preventing the illegal entry of people, drugs, weapons, and other contraband into the United States. The agency is tasked with enforcing a wide range of laws and regulations that help to maintain the security of the country and protect its citizens.

Two examples of the things that CBP agents are trying to keep out of the country are:

1. Illegal drugs – CBP works to prevent the illegal smuggling of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine across the border. The agency uses a variety of tools and techniques to detect and interdict drug shipments, including canine teams, advanced imaging technology, and inspections of vehicles and cargo.
2. Illegal weapons – CBP is also responsible for preventing the illegal entry of firearms, explosives, and other weapons into the country. The agency uses a range of technology and tactics to detect these dangerous items, including x-ray machines, metal detectors, and searches of vehicles and individuals.

The primary difficulty with preventing illegal border crossings is the sheer size and complexity of the U.S. border. With over 6,000 miles of land borders and more than 2,000 miles of coastal borders, it is a massive challenge to effectively patrol and secure the entire border. Additionally, the desire of many people to enter the U.S. illegally, often driven by economic or safety concerns, creates a constant pressure on the border that makes it difficult to fully prevent all illegal crossings.