United States Border Patrol
By George W. Bush
We've deployed thousands of National Guard members to assist the Border Patrol. We've upgraded technology at our borders. We've added infrastructure, including new fencing and vehicle barriers. We're adding thousands of new beds in our detention facilities so we can continue working to end catch and release at our southern border.
During the course of my administration we have apprehended and sent home more 6 million people entering our country illegally. And I thank the Border Patrol for their hard work. The Secure Fence Act builds on this progress. The bill authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of additional fencing along our southern border.
By Russell Contreras
Congress created the U.S. Border Patrol in 1924 and the agency slowly grew in size as its mission changed.
At first, the agents sought to keep out Asian immigrants and later worked to stall alcohol trafficking in the Prohibition era.
Slowly, it evolved into stalling unwanted migration from Mexico.