U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today called on U.S. border officials to combine efforts with Canadian officials and state and local law enforcement to protect the northern border more effectively with existing resources. Senator Collins's comments followed the release of a Government Accountability Office report that found massive gaps in northern border security. In FY 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that it spent $3 billion to investigate and detect illegal activities along at the northern border, made 6,000 arrests, and confiscated 40,000 pounds of illegal drugs at and between the northern border points of entry. Senator Collins highlighted that increased interagency cooperation and information sharing would provide more efficient and effective use of the limited resources that are available on the northern border.
"I am gravely concerned about the findings in this report," said Senator Collins. "The most important finding is that the U.S. Border Patrol does not have the ability to detect illegal activity across approximately three-quarters of the northern border. The reality is that budgetary constraints are preventing the U.S. Border Patrol from having the kind of staffing needed on the northern border. DHS must continue to analyze the right mix of resources, ensuring there is effective use of personnel, technology, and international, state, and local agency partnerships that allow the border be open to our friends, but closed to those who would do us harm."
Senator Collins also noted that the smuggling of methamphetamine and its precursor chemicals into Maine from Canada is a growing problem. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine's "size and predominately rural population" are ideal conditions for methamphetamine trafficking from Canada. To help respond to this threat, Senator Collins was the lead co-sponsor of legislation requiring the Administration to develop a northern border counternarcotics strategy that became law in early January.
See full GAO Report
here. Listen to audio from Senator Collins' press conference
here.