CBP was established in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security to fill gaps in border management exposed by the tragic events of September 11 and create a single, unified command agency focused on the security of our nation’s borders. Now one of the nation’s premier law enforcement agencies with 60,000 dedicated employees, CBP commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by highlighting some examples of how its operations have evolved over the past two decades. The stories and videos shared here are just a few examples of how CBP’s work makes our country safer and stronger and serves as a daily tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives for others that day.
Featured Commemorative Stories and Videos
A Moment of Tragedy, a Catalyst of Change - This Frontline article features current and former CBP personnel detailing how the efficiencies we’ve developed over the past 20 years have put us in a better position to stop threats today
Tougher Together - This short video incorporates imagery of CBP's legacy agencies right after the attacks, the formation of CBP, and its present day mission.
A Time for Courage - This short video includes interviews with personnel throughout CBP talking about why they serve and the significance of the anniversary, how it influences their work at CBP.
Video Packages: 20 Years of Progress in Border Security
These video packages show CBP's progress in securing the air and sea near our borders and knowing who and what is entering the United States through passenger and cargo screening.
Created on Jan. 17, 2006, AMO merged legacy air and marine programs from the U.S. Customs Service and U.S. Border Patrol and is responsible for safeguarding the nation from the air and sea. AMO agents have flown 1.3 million flight hours, conducted more than 537,000 float hours and seized or disrupted 10.8 million pounds of drugs in its 15 years. It is the agency’s smallest operational component with 1,800 agents.
VIDEO: Air and Marine Operations - Safeguarding the Nation from the Air and Sea
VIDEO: CBP Support to Super Bowl LV
VIDEO: National Marine Training Center (1 of 2)
VIDEO: National Marine Training Center (2 of 2)
VIDEO: CBP Relief Support for Hurricane Laura
VIDEO: AMO and USBP agents Rescue a Stranded Migrant in the Baboquivari Mountains
VIDEO: AMO Tucson Air Branch UH-60 crew conducts hoist training
VIDEO: AMO Rescues an Injured Migrant from the Baboquivari Mountains
Through Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, CBP can engage with potential travelers before they travel through an advanced inspection. CBP has received approximately 12 million applications since the program was launched in 2008, and currently has 7.3 million members enrolled, including citizens from 17 partner countries around the world.
VIDEO: Global Entry - Global Entry is CBP's largest Trusted Traveler program, with dedicated kiosks at 76 airports, including all 15 preclearance locations.
Facial biometrics provide travelers with a touchless process that further secures and streamlines international arrivals while fulfilling a longstanding Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-U.S. citizens. To date, more than 88 million travelers have participated in the biometric facial comparison process at air, land and sea ports of entry. Since September 2018, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent nearly 870 imposters from illegally entering the United States by using genuine travel documents that were issued to other people.
VIDEO: Simplified Arrival - Simplified Arrival is CBP's enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admission into the United States.
Instead of transporting seizures from the front line to the lab, CBP can identify a threat faster and speeds the time a case goes to prosecution.
VIDEO: Forward Operating Labs - Located at strategic locations throughout the country, CBP's forward operating labs provide on-site, rapid analysis of suspected materials.
Technology investments enable informed decision making in response to target areas and detected illegal entries and improve the safety and security of USBP agents and the traveling public.
VIDEO: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems - The U.S. Border Patrol has increased its use of technology – including integrating small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) – to respond to known threats in real time, as well as to provide the best possible information of the types and frequency of illicit activity occurring along the border.