U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions

U.S. Border Patrol, a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for safeguarding the nation’s borders and preventing illegal entry of people and contraband. Established in 1924, it operates in 328 ports of entry and protects 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.

One of the nine sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border is the Tucson Sector, which covers 262 border miles and includes all of the Arizona-Mexico border and parts of the California-Mexico border. This sector employs a multi-layered approach to border security, utilizing a combination of technology, infrastructure, and personnel to prevent illegal cross-border activity, including the smuggling of drugs and people.