Over the years it appears that our country has become more populated and unsafe due to illegal immigrants and contraband, such as drugs and guns, coming into the United States. Although there are many illegal immigrants and contraband people who manage to enter the United States without detection, there is a significant amount of contraband and people who are apprehended by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was formed in 2003. “It is one of the largest law enforcement organizations in the world and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the United States” (CBP ). One of the departments of CBP is Border Security, which is a team of individuals working together to protect our country from “illegal immigrants, narcotics trafficking, and illegal importation” (CBP). The Border Patrol was established in 1924 and has changed dramatically over the decades. The only aspect that has not changed is “the overall mission to detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States” (CBP). The Border Patrol is responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters. According to CBP, “In 2013, 420,789 illegal aliens were arrested nationwide and 2.9 million pounds of drugs were seized.” As you may notice, there is a significant amount of illegal immigrants and contraband goods entering the United States. However, the number of illegal immigrants who have been seized is lower than in the past, but I continue to believe that having strong border security is necessary to continue to prevent immigrants from attempting to enter the United States illegally and transporting illegal goods. "The main objective of bo...... middle of paper......ol." Immigration debates. Ed Judith Gans, Elaine M. Repogle, and Daniel J. Tichenor. Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Reference, 2012: 144. Gale Virtual Library. Network. April 22, 2014.Starr, Penny. “National Security: Illegals Have Earned the Right to Be Citizens.” CNS News, January 24, 2014. Web. April 22, 2014. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Department of Homeland Security, n.d. Web. April 22, 2014.