U.S. Border Patrol – Annual Strategy: A Blueprint for Border Security and Organizational Innovation

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction
2. Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles
3. Organizational Overview
4. Strategic Overview
5. Objective One: Secure the Border
6. Objective Two: Pursue Organizational Excellence
7. Objective Three: Build Effective Public-Private Partnerships
8. Predict, Detect, and Identify Threats
9. Influence and Shape the Operational Environment
10. Threat Categorization, Prioritization, and Mitigation
11. Invest in Human Capital
12. Optimize Mission Readiness

Document Introduction

2024 marks the centennial of the United States Border Patrol (USBP). This strategic document serves as the agency's action plan for the next five years. It reviews the historical evolution from a 450-person horseback patrol in 1924 to a nearly 20,000-strong professional force equipped with cutting-edge technology. It also confronts complex contemporary challenges such as global migration waves and the escalating illegal activities of Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). The document clarifies that, although the nature of threats has evolved from alcohol smuggling during Prohibition and security threats during World War II to modern terrorism, transnational illicit trade, and large-scale migration flows, USBP's core mission of protecting the safety of the American people and promoting economic prosperity remains unchanged.

The strategy is built on three core objectives, forming a comprehensive border security and organizational development system. The primary objective focuses on border control. It aims to achieve advanced prediction, precise detection, and effective response to threats by expanding situational awareness in border and outlying areas, utilizing predictive data analytics, innovative technologies, and international cooperation. Simultaneously, it seeks to optimize the deployment of personnel, equipment, and infrastructure, establish standardized threat categorization and prioritization mechanisms, and strengthen efforts against illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and other activities.

The second objective centers on organizational excellence, emphasizing that human capital is key to mission accomplishment. The document proposes building a diverse and highly resilient workforce through targeted recruitment, enhanced training, and improved welfare benefits. It also aims to optimize resource planning and budget management processes, establish robust accountability mechanisms, and foster a culture of innovation. By leveraging industry partnerships and technological advancements, it seeks to enhance operational efficiency, drive process optimization from headquarters to the front lines, and modernize data infrastructure.

The third objective focuses on building public-private partnerships, advocating that border security requires multi-party collaboration. The strategic plan aims to strengthen internal stakeholder coordination with entities like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by expanding interdepartmental task collaboration and improving information-sharing platforms. It seeks to deepen cooperation with domestic and international government agencies and law enforcement, expanding intelligence sharing and joint operations. Furthermore, it aims to enhance public trust and support through transparent communication, community engagement, and collaboration with non-governmental organizations, forming a synergistic force for border security governance.

Based on USBP's century of operational experience and an assessment of the current security environment, this strategy integrates multiple approaches including intelligence analysis, technology application, and partnership collaboration. It reflects adherence to the core values of vigilance, integrity, and service to country, while also providing an actionable roadmap for addressing the dynamic and complex border security challenges of the next five years. It underscores the agency's critical role in safeguarding U.S. national security and border integrity.