Feb 18 2011

Federal Government Asks for No Major Increases in Border Spending for FY 2012

While increasing security at U.S. border crossings is still a hot topic, the new federal budget asks for no major increases in border spending. This lack of border security requests comes in the wake of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s death in Mexico, which supports the widespread belief that Mexico’s drug war is getting worse.

The Obama administration is asking for $10.4 billion for Customs and Border Protection in FY 2012. In FY 2010, they requested $10.1 billion. This funding will support just over 21,000 border patrol agents and will enable DHS to hire an additional 300 officers at U.S. ports of entry. Reductions in funding requests were made for the SBInet program and the State Criminal Alien Assistance program.