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American Morning

Ask CNN: How Does the Government Protect Our Borders?

Aired November 29, 2001 - 09:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Martha Londono from North Mills, California asks, How does the government protect our borders?

MICHAEL A. PEARSON, INS, FIELD OPERATIONS: Protecting U.S. borders is the federal government's responsibility, accomplished by a number of federal agencies that work in close cooperation. The Immigration and Naturalization Service is at the forefront of that effort, with nearly 10,000 border patrol agents and 5,000 immigration inspectors dedicated to this mission. Immigration inspectors are assigned to nations more than 300 land, air and sea ports of entry, where they ensure that all of those entering the country are authorized to do so. It is a difficult task, made ever didn't by more than one half billion people, both citizens and noncitizens, who cross the border into the United States every year.

The work of the border patrol agents is no less daunting. They are charged primarily with detect preventing the unlawful entry across our land borders between the ports of entry. That is about 6,000 miles of border, excluding Alaska. To enhance their enforcement capabilities, border patrol agents and inspectors are back with high- tech equipment, including underground sensors, and long-range infrared scopes, and have access to a variety of databases that contain information on criminal and suspected terrorists.

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