NCJ Number
122741
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (1989) Pages: 93-122
Date Published
1989
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study provides empirical evidence of the extent to which America's international borders and ports of entry are porous and unregulated, shows that existing Federal law enforcement efforts at the borders are inadequate, and encourages debate of border/immigration issues.
Abstract
Several recent cases of U.S. border violations are reviewed, analyzed, and discussed in the context of their probable impact on national and State law enforcement policies and procedures. Three major types of border violations are addressed: the illegal passage of imported hazardous radioactive materials into the United States, the importation of illicit drugs across the U.S. southern border, and the illegal entry of undocumented persons from Mexico. The probable impact of recent immigration reform legislation upon the rate of illegal immigration from Mexico is also considered. Responses to the serious inadequacy of border control could occur on several fronts. Task forces consisting of Federal, State, local, and regional government officials and citizens should study the implications of U.S. border and immigration problems for their jurisdictions and locales and develop policy recommendations. Statewide programs for the routine and continuous monitoring of highway traffic for signs of unacceptably high levels of radioactivity could be developed. State and local antidrug programs must recognize the likelihood of an increasing street availability of illicit narcotics in the United States. 14 notes, 27 references.