Since immigration is a major issue in American life, both domestic and international policies of the country are concerned with it. Particularly after the 9/11 incident, Americans are more careful than ever before in ensuring the nation's security. The issues of immigration have been more formalized and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has been replaced by bodies which are more endowed with more specialized functions of supervising customs and immigration into the country.
Of the various bodies in the US which deal with the issue of customs and immigration in the USA, the United States Customs Service and its ports of entry was established in July, 1789 This body was primarily responsible for gathering funds for the government.
Of the modern institutions which deal with the issues custom and immigration in the United States, the bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) functions as the investigative arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [Please refer to Immigration Department USA , Index 1 Topic 4 ] and is responsible for identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities regarding the nation's border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. It is also the second largest contributor to the nation's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Another body, called the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulates the US international trade, collects import duties, enforces US trade laws, as well as prevents terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. The CBP is also responsible to stop individuals from entering the country illegally, stem the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband, protect the USA's agricultural and economic interests from harmful pests and diseases; and ensure safety from American businesses from theft of their intellectual property. This entity has three subordinate offices, such as:
The Office of Field Operations
The Office of Border Patrol
The Office of CBP Air & Marine
