United States Border Patrol

The United States Border Patrol (USBP), a Federal police force, is the mobile uniformed law enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to 2003, the Border Patrol was part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. The Border Patrol was founded on May 28, 1924, and was originally an agency of the United States Department of Labor. Its priority mission, as a result of the 9/11 attacks and its merging into DHS, is preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States of America. The Border Patrol's traditional mission still is the deterrence, detection and apprehension of illegal aliens and illicit drugs entering the United States between designated Ports of Entry. Prior to this the US Army and various para-military forces patrolled the border.

Specialized Units

The Border Patrol has a variety of specialized units and details.

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Tactical Teams

The Border Patrol has a variety of tactical teams, which are trained in special tactics, to respond to unusual occurrences of a high risk nature.

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BORTAC is The National tactical unit of the Border Patrol for high risk enforcement similar to a SWAT team.

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Border Patrol Sectors (Sectors are operational regions of the Border Patrol, typically comprised of 5 - 8 stations) have Sector Response Teams (SRT) or in San Diego Sector - REACT. SRT is deployed at the Sector level to high risk incidents or to specific missions.

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Search and Rescue

BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search Trauma And Rescue) - This group is very active in the Arizona desert, striving to rescue illegal aliens in distress. Search and Rescue

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Other Units

• Horse Patrol
• ATV Patrol
• Bike Patrol
• K9 Handler