see also: in December 2003:   CBP Border Patrol Agents Increase Northern Border Security   CBP Seizes Cache of Narcotics Over Weekend   CBP Border Patrol Mourns the Loss of Their Fallen Hero   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $8.2 Million in Cocaine at World Trade Bridge   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Canine "Boyka" Retires After Five Years of Service at Eagle Pass Port of Entry   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Formally Appoints Port Director for Newark/New York Seaport Area ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), charged with the responsibility of safeguarding our nation's borders, swung into action for alert level orange by increasing security at seaports, airports, and the southern and northern land border. CBP has stepped up searches, and increased scrutiny on the travelling public and cargo arriving into the U.S. To lessen the impact of the effort, CBP has assigned additional manpower where needed to manage the flow of holiday traffic.

"We are ready and able to carry out our priority mission, preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the country," said CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. "As the nation's unified border agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is increasing its scrutiny of arriving people, vehicles, and cargo at our land borders, our seaports and our international airports."

Commissioner Bonner added: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as a key operational agency of the Department of Homeland Security, has developed ways to provide increased border security without choking off the flow of legitimate trade and people entering our country."

At international airports, land border crossings, and the nation's seaports, CBP has increased examination of incoming passengers, baggage, and cargo, using advance information. All documents, including passports, personal identification, and cargo manifests are receiving greater scrutiny. Additional security inspections, using large-scale x-ray equipment and radiation detection devices are being performed on a risk-managed and targeted basis.

Between ports of entry, the Border Patrol, now a part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will forward deploy all available Border Patrol Agents throughout the country with a heightened level of vigilance. The Border Patrol will coordinate activities with all federal, state, and local law enforcement while maintaining bi-national communications with counterparts in Mexico and Canada.

Commissioner Bonner said, "During the holidays, the dedicated men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect our Nation from terrorism."

Travelers may obtain regularly updated information about border wait times at the Customs and Border Protection Web site www.cbp.gov.