Border Enforcement

Policy Changes Target Border Security

In spring 2004, the United States’ H-2B visa cap was hit for the first time; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also launched a drone-based Arizona border initiative and issued rules for the U.S.-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement.

Bush Boosts Immigration Enforcement in FY 2005 Budget

President George W. Bush's fiscal year 2005 budget doubled worksite enforcement, while the cap of 65,000 U.S. H-1B visas was hit early.

Funding for Immigration in the President's 2005 Budget

The Department of Homeland Security's First Year: A Report Card on Immigration

One year in, the Department of Homeland Security showed real gains in border and interior enforcement. But its promise was hampered by case backlogs and poor internal coordination.

The United States and Mexico: Immigration Policy and the Bilateral Relationship

NAFTA's Promise and Reality: Lessons from Mexico for the Hemisphere

NAFTA failed to curb unauthorized immigration from Mexico—but the reasons were economic crises, demographics, and social ties, not the trade deal itself.

Testimony before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission)

Security at U.S. Borders: A Move Away from Unilateralism?

U.S. Smart Border agreements with Canada and Mexico advanced layered cooperative security after 9/11, but other issues remain unresolved.

Does 'Smarter' Lead to Safer? An Assessment of the Border Accords with Canada and Mexico

Post-9/11 U.S. Smart Border accords with Canada and Mexico advanced bilateral security cooperation while keeping trade flowing, but gaps in infrastructure and strategy remained.

Immigration Policy and the Homeland Security Act Reorganization: An Early Agenda for Practical Improvements

The rushed reorganization of immigration functions post-9/11 created gaps requiring fixes to unify policy and operational coordination in the new Department of Homeland Security.