Detailed Information on the
Border Security and Control between Ports of Entry Assessment

The Border Patrol will develop four additional performance measures to track and monitor the effectiveness of the following programs: Forward Operating Bases, International Liaison Unit, Canine Program, and the Horse Patrol Program. OBP will also develop a methodology to capture third party indicators for border security assessment.

OBP will develop a methodology to capture third party indicators for border security assessment.

The Border Patrol will continue to refine performance data and collection analysis and continue to deploy COMPSTAT to additional field locations. COMPSTAT is intended for use at all field levels-sectors and stations.

The Border Patrol will continue to: Collect and analyze performance data, review and refine existing performance measures, and develop additional measures to continue to build on its program management and effectiveness. Develop and refine ORBBP to improve on our investment management approach for a full integration of programming into the ORBBP model.

1. The Border Patrol will continue to improve performance data and collection analysis by deploying COMSTAT, a process that provides field-level Border Patrol leadership with a systematic process to improve situational awareness, assess current operational status and to respond more effectively to border activity. COMPSTAT is intended for use at all field levels - sectors and stations. COMPSTAT will enable Border Patrol leaders to make more informed decisions regarding the effectiveness of current operations and resource deployments.

The Border Patrol will further integrate its Operational Requirements Budget Based Program (ORBBP). OBP will develop a facilities module that will capture all costs associated with operating, maintaining, and repairing Border Patrol facilities. This module will facilitate more accurate forecasting and programming for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budgets.

Measure: Border Miles Under Effective Control (Including Certain Coastal Sectors)

Explanation:As the Border Patrol moves toward its ultimate goal of control of the border, gains made in improving border security are examined to measure levels of control. This measure depicts the Number of Border Miles Under Control where the appropriate mix of personnel, equipment, technology, and tactical infrastructure has been deployed to reasonably ensure that when an attempted illegal alien is detected, identified and classified, that the Border Patrol has the ability to respond and that the attempted illegal entry is brought to a satisfactory law enforcement resolution.

Measure: Number of Border Patrol Agents trained in rescue and emergency medical procedures.

Explanation:This measure will examine the number of agents trained and certified as First Responders. One of the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative (BSI) objectives is to increase the number of agents trained and certified as first responders at the field agent level to improve the Border Patrol's capabilities to prevent and respond to humanitarian emergencies in order to create a safer and more secure border region.

Measure: Percent of apprehensions at Border Patrol checkpoints.

Explanation:This measure examines the effectiveness of checkpoint operations in apprehensions as they relate to border enforcement activities and serves as one of the barometer for measuring operational effectiveness. Checkpoints are temporary and permanent facilities used by the Border Patrol to monitor traffic on routes of egress from border areas and are an integral part of the Border Patrol's defense-in-depth strategy. As such, activities that occur at checkpoints serve as measures not only of checkpoint operational effectiveness but as barometers of the effectiveness of the Border Patrol's overall national border enforcement strategy to deny successful illegal entries into the United States. This measure will examine one checkpoint activity, apprehensions, and compare it to the Border Patrol apprehensions nationwide. This comparison will measure checkpoint effectiveness in terms of apprehensions as well as provide insights into the overall effectiveness of the Border Patrol's national strategy.

Measure: Percent of traffic checkpoint cases referred for prosecution to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Explanation:This measure will examine the percent of border related cases brought by the Border Patrol and originating from traffic checkpoint operations that are referred to one of the 92 U.S. Attorneys located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands for prosecution compared to the total number of apprehensions at traffic checkpoints. This measure will depict the effectiveness of Border Patrol checkpoint operations in identifying and prosecuting dangerous criminals thus enhancing overall public safety. All apprehensions by OBP are considered arrests (administrative or criminal). The number of cases referred for prosecution by OBP and being tracked in this measure are criminal arrests only.

Measure: Percent of narcotic seizures at Border Patrol checkpoints compared to Border Patrol seizures nation-wide.

Explanation:This measure will examine the percentage of narcotic seizures at Border Patrol Checkpoints compared to the percentage of narcotic seizures nation-wide. The Border Patrol Checkpoint operations are an integral part of the Border Patrol's defense-in-depth strategy. As such, these activities serve as measures for both the checkpoint operational effectiveness and the value of the Border Patrol's overall national border enforcement strategy to deny successful illegal entries into the United States. This comparison will measure checkpoint effectiveness in terms of narcotics seizures as well as provide insights into the overall effectiveness of the Border Patrol's national strategy.

Measure: Total number of cumulative miles of permanent tactical infrastructure constructed.

Explanation:This measure shows the total number of permanent cumulative miles of tactical infrastructure constructed. Tactical Infrastructure consists of permanent barriers built to deter or delay illegal entries into the United States. Permanent tactical infrastructure includes fencing, all-weather roads, vehicle barriers and permanent lighting installed in the border areas to support border enforcement activities.

Measure: Operating and Maintenance Cost Effectiveness of Traffic Checkpoints

Explanation:This measure will examine the cost effectiveness associated with operating and maintaining permanent (fixed) traffic checkpoints compared to non-permanent (tactical) traffic checkpoints.

Measure: Percentage of Canine Assisted Narcotic Seizures

Explanation:This measure will examine the percentage of Canine narcotic seizures to the total amount of narcotic seizures nation-wide by the Border Patrol. This comparison will show the effectiveness of the Border Patrol Canine Unit related to narcotics seizures.

Measure: Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Aware

Explanation:The efficiency measure, "Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness" shows efficiency improvements (ouputs) with minimal resources (inputs). Border Patrol established definitions for the various levels of border security, which are based on specific operational characteristics. From the least secure to the most secure, those definitions are: Remote/Low Activity; Less Monitored; Monitored; and Controlled. Border regions classified as Remote/Low Activity are generally characterized by rugged and inaccessible terrain. By raising the border security status of these regions to Less Monitored (or higher), the Border Patrol improves its situational awareness and enhances border security. In FY 2005, approximately 46 percent of the border miles were classified as Remote/Low Activity. Since FY 2005, the Border Patrol reduced the number of Remote/Low Activity miles from 3,929 to 1,686, to about 19 percent. Most of these gains were made along the northern border and resulted with minimal deployment of additional Border Patrol resources through effective partnering with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, community organizations and citizens, creating more "eyes and ears" for the Border Patrol. This methodology represents improved efficiency in the use of resources towards gaining control of the border.

Measure: Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status

Explanation:The outcome performance measure, "Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status," shows those sectors which have achieved gains in border security without the infusion of additional resources. While sectors are not currently provided all of the identified resources required to advance the level of border security in their areas of responsibility, some have been able to achieve gains in border security without additional resources. Sectors achieve these gains through more effective tactics, intelligence driven operations, partnering with other law enforcement agencies and community groups and more efficient use of existing resources. These gains, while not necessarily sustainable, represent greater efficiency of the use of Border Patrol resources to secure the border.

Measure: Percentange of Sectors Effectively Integrating Budget, Planning and Performance through ORBBP

Explanation:This measure examines the percentage of sectors effectively integrating budget, planning and performance through the utilization of the Operational Requirements Budget Based Program (ORBBP). The Border Patrol has historically been an outcome based enforcement program ahead of its time in regard to planning, budget and performance. The Border Patrol's organizational structure is uniquely designed to ensure mission accomplishment and that is free from major structural flaws. The Border Patrol has experienced an unprecedented growth over the last few years and with that growth, has matured in both enforcement and business practices. Border Patrol recognized that to effectively manage resources to achieve the programs strategic goals and objectives, a national program standardized methodology tool and practical application was needed. That recognition led to the FY2004 development and FY05 implementation of a tool that would ultimately fully integrate planning, budgeting and performance as identified in the President's Management Agenda. ORBBP is a rigorous and comprehensive methodology that takes a risk based approach, recognizing the ever-changing border security environment that guides resource requirements, operational tactics and performance results. ORBBP ensures that the Border Patrol engages the appropriate resources against current and projected threats and vulnerabilities. Border Patrol's ORBBP was developed and is utilized by the Border Patrol to implement the National Border Patrol Strategy. There is no strong evidence that another approach or mechanism to structure and guide the Border Patrol resources would lead to a more effective or efficient outcome to achieve its intended purpose.

Measure: Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status

Explanation:The annual outcome measure, "Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status," shows the gains in border security by sector. Sectors have identified resource and funding requirements to attain specific levels of border control are funded to either advance the level of border security in their areas of responsibility or to maintain current operational status, depending on budget constraints. Current operational status means that the sectors are required to maintain the same level of border security as they have attained during the past years without additional resources. This effort is particularly challenging as the threat develops new tactics to circumvent Border Patrol law enforcement operations. As additional resources and funding become available, sectors will be sufficiently resourced to increase border security.

Is the program purpose clear?

Explanation: The National Border Patrol Strategy articulates a clear, strategic mission and program purpose to establish and maintain control of the border of the United States between the ports of entry. The strategic mission includes preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons, interdicting illegal aliens, smugglers, narcotics and other contraband entering the United States. The Border Patrol developed five objectives to support the national strategy.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's operational purpose and mission are articulated by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) directives and policies and by the National Border Patrol Strategy. The objectives further describe the intended mission outcomes and to focus the Border Patrol's operational planning and execution. The objectives are: (1) establish a substantial probability of apprehending terrorists and their weapons as they attempt to enter illegally between the ports of entry; (2) deter illegal entries through improved enforcement; (3) detect, apprehend, and deter smugglers of humans, drugs and other contraband; (4) leverage Smart Border Technology to multiply the effect of enforcement personnel; and (5) reduce crime in border communities and consequently improve the quality of life and economic vitality of targeted areas. The objectives should not be considered as stand alone entities. Rather, they are interdependent. All of the Border Patrol performance measures contribute in some way toward achieving all of the objectives. The National Border Patrol Strategy ensures that the Border Patrol deploys the appropriate mix of resources and employs appropriate tactics with the end state objective of consistently being able to detect, identify and classify, respond and bring all illegal entries to a satisfactory law enforcement resolution. The Border Patrol's main long-term outcome performance measure, "Border Miles Under Effective Control" assesses the Border Patrol's ability to detect, respond to, and interdict illegal border entries. This measure shows how deploying the appropriate mix of personnel, technology, and tactical infrastructure is necessary to reasonably ensure that anyone illegally crossing the border will be deterred from entering the United States or will be detected and apprehended at, or as close to the border as possible. The Border Patrol's purpose and mission are founded in statute in Title 8 U.S. Code.

Does the program address a specific and existing problem, interest, or need?

Explanation: The Border Patrol has the mission of securing the U.S. border between the ports of entry. As a sovereign nation, the United States has the authority and the responsibility to the American public to secure its borders against illegal entries of all types. Since its creation in 1924, the Border Patrol has had the unique mission of enforcing the provisions of immigration law between the ports of entry. Illegal immigration has been, and continues to be, a significant economic and social issue of concern for the U.S. government and people of the United States. More recently, public safety concerns have been elevated because of crime, gang activity and narcotics trafficking associated with illegal immigration. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, securing the border has taken on national security implications as evidenced by the Border Patrol's new task of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. As of January 2006, the illegal immigrant population residing in the United States was estimated at 11 million and growing by about 400,000 every year. The Border Patrol's clear and unambiguous mission of securing the border between the ports of entry is intended to prevent or mitigate the negative social, economic, law enforcement and national security impact associated with illegal immigration.

Evidence: From a national policy perspective, the President of the United States has made immigration enforcement and border security a top priority as evidenced by his State of the Union policy initiative calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The policy initiative calls for securing the nation's borders, the Border Patrol's primary mission. The Secretary of DHS accordingly has identified border enforcement as a priority through two of his top objectives: (1) Continue to Protect our Nation from Dangerous People; and (2) Continue to Protect our Nation from Dangerous Goods. Further, the Secretary established the Secure Border Initiative that again calls for securing the borders. Finally, the Border Patrol's mission is further emphasized by CBP's Strategic Goal - Preventing Terrorism between the Ports of Entry. The Border Patrol's operational planning, execution, resources and organizational structure are uniquely designed to execute national policy and law concerning immigration enforcement and border security.

Is the program designed so that it is not redundant or duplicative of any other Federal, state, local or private effort?

Explanation: The Border Patrol is the sole federal agency charged with the responsibility of securing the border and enforcing immigration law along the border between the ports of entry. No other federal, state or local law enforcement agency has this responsibility.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's mission is defined by the National Border Patrol Strategy, DHS and CBP policies and directives. Further, the Border Patrol's roles in securing the borders and enforcing immigration law are described in statute - Title 8 of the U.S. Code and Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. While immigration enforcement is shared with another CBP component and two other DHS components, Office of Field Operations (OFO), Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), respectively, the Border Patrol's unique responsibilities are clearly defined by law and policy. Further, the ICE-CBP Coordination Council develops polices and deconflicts operations to ensure that no redundancy or duplication occurs. The Border Patrol is involved in partnerships, both formal and informal, with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The purpose of these partnerships is twofold. First, information sharing is enhanced and duplication of information collection activities is avoided. Second, the Border Patrol has a very unique set of experiences, skills and law enforcement authorities that can be employed by other organizations as they address law enforcement and national security issues.

Is the program design free of major flaws that would limit the program's effectiveness or efficiency?

Explanation: The Border Patrol's organizational structure is uniquely designed to ensure mission accomplishment and that is free from major structural flaws. Years of Border Patrol experience, expertise and research went into the development of the National Border Patrol Strategy. The strategy is based on the deployment of the appropriate mix of personnel, technology and tactical infrastructure to achieve the Border Patrol's mission. The appropriate mix of resources is determined through the Border Patrol's Operational Requirements Budget Based Program (ORBBP). ORBBP is the tool used by the Border Patrol to implement the National Border Patrol Strategy. ORBBP is a rigorous and comprehensive methodology that takes a risk based approach in determining resource requirements, deployments and operational tactics.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's ORBBP systematically detects and assesses the changes, current and anticipated, in the security environment and identifies operational courses of action to counter the emerging threats and vulnerabilities. ORBBP is a dynamic process that recognizes the ever-changing border security environment. ORBBP examines all factors, current and future, internal and external, affecting border security. ORBBP ensures that the Border Patrol engages the appropriate resources and tactics against current and projected threats and vulnerabilities. Using this methodology, the Border Patrol met or exceeded all of its performance targets for fiscal year (FY) 2006 through strategic placement of resources. It ensures that the Border Patrol deploys the appropriate mix of resources and employs appropriate tactics with the end state objective of consistently being able to detect, identify and classify, respond and resolve all illegal entries.

Is the program design effectively targeted so that resources will address the program's purpose directly and will reach intended beneficiaries?

Explanation: The Border Patrol's ORBBP ensures that the Border Patrol deploys its resources in the most effective manner possible. All of the Border Patrol's resources are effectively targeted and used to directly meet the program's purpose. ORBBP assessments of the border threat and requests for resources begin at the lowest field level. All resource requests, and subsequent resource deployments, are measured against the actual and anticipated threats and vulnerabilities to border security.

Evidence: ORBBP ensures that the Border Patrol systematically evaluates its operational environment and threat and assesses its resource needs and operational tactics. Using ORBBP, the Border Patrol deploys the appropriate mix of resources and employs appropriate tactics with the end state objective of consistently being able to detect, identify and classify, respond and resolve all illegal entries (see ORBBP OPLANS, ORBBP State of the Sector/Station Reports). The Border Patrol resources are flexible and can be directed to address new and emerging threats and vulnerabilities. The Border Patrol consistently and systematically analyzes the threats to the U.S. border areas and identifies "focus" sectors - those sectors with the greatest potential threat to border security. These sectors will be receive additional resources through the formal budgeting process and will have priority for additional funds should they become available later in the year. The success of ORBBP to appropriately identify and deploy is evidenced through the performance measure, "Border Miles Under Effective Control", which exceeded its FY 2006 target.

Does the program have a limited number of specific long-term performance measures that focus on outcomes and meaningfully reflect the purpose of the program?

Explanation: The National Border Patrol Strategic Plan is a multi-year, multi-phased approach to gaining and maintaining control of our Nation's borders between the ports of entry. To support the national strategy, the Border Patrol uses long-term outcome-focused performance measures with ambitious targets for the current year and five out-years based on historical knowledge and statistical operational data.

Evidence: The measures include: 1) Border Miles Under Effective Control, 2) Percentage of Sectors Effectively Integrating Budget, Planning and Performance through ORBBP, and 3) Total Number of Cumulative Miles of Permanent Tactical Infrastructure. Border Patrol's measures show how effective it is in stemming the flow of illegal cross-border activity in a given border area and measure incremental gains made in improving border security as we move toward the ultimate goal of the National Border Patrol Strategy - to gain control of the U. S. border. The National Border Patrol Strategic Plan directly supports the DHS Near-Term Goals, and the CBP Strategic Plan of preventing terrorism, strengthening our control of the borders and protecting America and its citizens. The Border Patrol has two specific long-term outcome and one specific long-term output performance measure. The Border Patrol's main long-term program outcome performance measure, "Border Miles Under Effective Control" assesses the Border Patrol's ability to detect, respond to, and interdict illegal border entries. This measure shows how deploying the appropriate mix of personnel, technology, and tactical infrastructure is necessary to reasonably ensure that anyone illegally crossing the border will be deterred from entering the United States or will be detected and apprehended at, or as close to the border as possible.

Does the program have ambitious targets and timeframes for its long-term measures?

Explanation: The Border Patrol has established a baseline with quantifiable and ambitious targets and timeframes for all of its current long-term outcome and output performance measures. For the main long-term program measure, "Border Miles Under Effective Control," the targets are established through the ORBBP process. Targets for these measures are the result of extensive analysis of known and projected data concerning the multitude of variables that can impact performance. Every year, in order to establish valid targets, the Border Patrol analyzes the operational environment, reviews priorities and objectives and then assigns resources to achieve priorities and objectives within the constraints of its budget, both current and projected. The Border Patrol aggressively seeks to achieve the greatest impact from all of its available resources. As such, the targets are achievable, ambitious and indeed, maximized within operational and budget constraints.

Evidence: Border Patrol uses supporting long-term measures with ambitious targets to inform and demonstrate progress toward achieving strategic goals. Performance measures are based on reliable historical and current data with sufficient and credible means of data scope, collection, validation and verification for the establishment of clear and ambitious current and out-year targets. Border Patrol has experienced an unprecedented growth over the last few years and with that growth, has matured in both enforcement and business practices. The Border Patrol recognizes that to effectively manage resources to its strategic goals and objectives, a nationally managed program that employed a standardized planning methodology is critical. That recognition has evolved with the FY 2004 development and FY 2005 implementation of the ORBBP, a tool that integrates planning, budgeting and performance as identified in the President's Management Agenda.

Does the program have a limited number of specific annual performance measures that can demonstrate progress toward achieving the program's long-term goals?

Explanation: The Border Patrol has specific annual performance measures in place that demonstrate progress toward achieving the program's long-term measures. They are: 1) Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status, 2) Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status, 3) Apprehensions at Checkpoint, 4) Percent of Narcotic Seizures at Checkpoints, 5) Number of Border Safety Trained Personnel, 5) Percentage of Cases Referred for Prosecution to U.S. Attorney, 6) Percentage of Canine Assisted Narcotic Seizures, and 7) Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness.

Evidence: Securing the border, the Border Patrol's strategic goal, is a long-term endeavor. By achieving the targets for long-term and annual performance measures, the Border Patrol demonstrates incremental, or annual, gains in securing the border. Border Patrol uses annual performance measures specifically created with a systematic focus on the long-term goals that fully support and align with department and agency strategic plans through ambitious and quantifiable targets. The annual outcome measure, "Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status," shows the gains in border security by sector. The outcome performance measure, "Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status," measure shows those sectors which have achieved gains in border security without the infusion of additional resources. The output measure "Apprehensions at Checkpoints" shows percentage of apprehensions as they relate to overall apprehensions nation-wide, serving as an operational barometer to measure effectiveness in detection and apprehensions. The output measure, "Percentage of cases referred for prosecution to the U.S. Attorney's office related to traffic checkpoints" shows the percentage number of border related cases brought by the Border Patrol originating from traffic checkpoint operations referred to one of 92 U.S. Attorneys located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands brought by the Border Patrol for prosecution compared to the total number of apprehensions at traffic checkpoints. The results depict the effectiveness of Border Patrol checkpoint operations in identifying and prosecuting dangerous criminals thus enhancing border security and overall public safety. The output measure "Percent of total number of narcotic seizures at Border Patrol Checkpoints compared to the total number of narcotic seizures nation-wide by the Border Patrol," shows the percentage of seizures at Border Patrol Checkpoints compared to the percentage of narcotic seizures nation-wide.

Does the program have baselines and ambitious targets for its annual measures?

Explanation: The Border Patrol has established baselines and ambitious targets for each of its performance measures and that are identified through ORBBP. Targets are established to show incremental improvement in border security. Targets and timeframes are re-evaluated annually throughout the ORBBP planning, programming and execution process as program data is collected and evaluated by Headquarters and field managers. Annual achievement highlights are reported in the CBP Performance Accountability Report.

Evidence: Through a disciplined and systematic method of operational planning, budgeting, and assessment, strategic and operational values are effectively measured through annual performance measures by the Border Patrol to evaluate progress and set ambitious targets for current and out-years. The Border Patrol has made significant progress in the development and formalization of performance measures since FY 2004. Annual performance measures are specifically designed to align with strategic goals, are operationally relevant to Border Patrol's goals and objectives, and communicate the unique areas that are specific to the Border Patrol's responsibility for Border Security Between the Ports of Entry. Although ambitious targets are set by Border Patrol toward achieving control of border areas, external elements and the unanticipated infusion of resource capability applied as a result of a new threat or vulnerability can affect changes in illegal activity levels and border security status. Baselines and ambitious targets and timeframes are established based on standardized data collection methods that produce reliable performance data that can be used to develop more ambitious performance targets.

Do all partners (including grantees, sub-grantees, contractors, cost-sharing partners, and other government partners) commit to and work toward the annual and/or long-term goals of the program?

Explanation: Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the establishment of DHS, the federal law enforcement community has focused on preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States as well as border security. The President of the United States has set gaining control of the border as a national priority.

Evidence: Border Patrol has taken aggressive steps to build and maintain effective and mutually beneficial working relationships with Canada and Mexico making in-roads to partnerships inside and outside of the United States. The Border Patrol recognizes that forming effective partnerships with other federal, state, and local government agencies is critical to its success in gaining and maintaining control of the border between the ports of entry. Further, other law enforcement agencies recognize the unique skills, experiences and authorities that the Border Patrol possesses and its potential contributions to a more holistic approach to law enforcement. The Border Patrol and other federal law enforcement agencies achieve synergy when they form partnerships enabling resources to be used more efficiently and effectively and avoiding duplications of effort. Therefore, the Border Patrol maintains relationships with other departments and federal law enforcement agencies including the National Guard, ICE, U.S. Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, tribal governments and the Department of Defense. In some cases, these relationships are informal or ad hoc while in other cases, the relationships are formally established through Memorandums of Understanding/Agreement or by policy. Border Patrol agents are detailed to some permanent multi-agency task forces such as the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, JTF-North, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Forces. The Border Patrol maintains effective relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies in the border areas. State police departments, sheriff's departments and local police departments serve as additional eyes and ears for the Border Patrol. These partnerships are most critical in those regions of the border where Border Patrol resources are limited. The Border Patrol also seeks out and establishes partnerships with local citizens. Input from citizen groups is important in addressing local safety and security concerns and formulating operational enforcement tactics to address those concerns. Border Patrol field units use Town Hall Meetings and Citizen Advisory Committees to establish these important linkages to local communities.

Are independent evaluations of sufficient scope and quality conducted on a regular basis or as needed to support program improvements and evaluate effectiveness and relevance to the problem, interest, or need?

Explanation: The Border Patrol makes use of several evaluation vehicles to assess its programs and make improvements. The Border Patrol uses the recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to improve its operational performance.

Evidence: A recent GAO report concerning the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative has led to the development of several internal performance measures to assess the effectiveness of that program. An OIG report concerning Border Patrol traffic checkpoint operations also led to the development of performance measurement and the development of a reporting mechanism to capture traffic checkpoint operational metrics that will be used to more closely monitor traffic checkpoint performance. The Border Patrol has also employed the services of the Homeland Security Institute (HSI) to assess the performance of Operation Jump Start, Operation Streamline, interior repatriation program, and traffic checkpoint operations. Finally, the Border Patrol uses the systematic and periodic assessments made by CBP's Management Inspection Division (MID) to improve its operations. Part of the MID program is a self-inspection program (SIP). MID administers surveys to all Border Patrol elements from headquarters to the stations to evaluate compliance with agency policies and regulations and assess overall performance. MID complies responses and makes recommendations to Border Patrol management to make improvements.

Are Budget requests explicitly tied to accomplishment of the annual and long-term performance goals, and are the resource needs presented in a complete and transparent manner in the program's budget?

Explanation: The Border Patrol's budget requests are developed based on the objectives in the National Border Patrol Strategic Plan. Supporting objectives are tied to departmental and agency strategic goals and linked to ambitious program performance measures. Resource Allocation Plans are comprehensive, specific and focused on annual and long-term performance goals to achieve desired outcomes.

Evidence: The ORBBP is a standardized national planning process that is utilized at all program levels to determine resource requirements and formulate budget requests for operationally focused outcomes and measurable performance goals. Budget submissions are based on quantifiable operational expectations for specific program initiatives and areas of responsibility. The ORBBP links to DHS, CBP and Border Patrol strategic goals and objectives to accomplish the Budget and Performance Integration initiative in the President's Management Agenda. Program Resource Allocation Plans and budget justifications submitted in the CBP Performance Budget Overview are linked to strategic goals with performance measures and ambitious targets. All Border Patrol short and long term outcome-focused performance measure targets are developed based on funding actually allocated or anticipated in the out-years. Budget requests include information on supporting program goals and initiatives, personnel requirements and actual data to demonstrate current and out-year targets for corresponding fiscal year as well as historical performance target information.

Has the program taken meaningful steps to correct its strategic planning deficiencies?

Explanation: Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent establishment of DHS in March 2003, the Border Patrol reassessed its strategic planning processes and goals. Prior to these events, the Border Patrol's strategic planning was focused on interdicting illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other smuggling on the nation's borders. Upon reevaluation, the Border Patrol's strategic planning processes took on aspects with national security implications. The Border Patrol's strategic planning now includes securing the borders and preventing and interdicting terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's National Border Patrol Strategy is designed to fully support the CBP and DHS National Strategies. The program reviews its strategic goals and objectives annually to identify deficiencies or needed improvements and modifications based on current operating environments. The National Border Patrol Strategy ensures that the Border Patrol deploys the appropriate mix of resources and employs appropriate tactics with the end state objective of consistently being able to detect, identify and classify, respond and resolve all illegal entries. ORBBP is the standardized national planning process that is used to ensure that meaningful steps are taken to ensure that planning at both the strategic and tactical levels are performance based and consistent with agency and departmental guidelines and objectives. Border Patrol managers and supervisors are fully informed, and planning at all levels is achieved based on established strategic goals. As an extra step to monitor and address deficiencies within the strategic planning process, Border Patrol conducts annual "table-top" exercises at the executive level in field locations throughout the nation to reinforce strategic thinking. Border Patrol National Strategic Plan.

Does the agency regularly collect timely and credible performance information, including information from key program partners, and use it to manage the program and improve performance?

Explanation: Performance data are collected by the field and other sources and then forwarded to Border Patrol headquarters using enhanced and comprehensive data collection systems. The data are consolidated, monitored, verified and utilized to measure program performance and used in the management of the Border Patrol program for performance based operational decisions to improve program performance and achieve strategic goals and objectives.

Evidence: The Border Patrol employs a variety of operational data to determine the current level of border security and the resource requirements for bringing the border under Effective Control. Data includes sensor activations, known entries, agent observations, apprehensions, narcotic seizures, border rescues / deaths, assaults on agents, etc. The analysis of apprehension data includes the country of citizenship of the illegal aliens, method of entry (foot or vehicle), the size of the groups or smuggling loads involved, the time and day of the activity, the location of activity, smuggling fees and violence associated with the apprehensions. Narcotics seizures are analyzed in terms of the amount of narcotics involved in each seizure, the types of narcotics seized, and whether there were weapons or other criminal activity involved. Also included in the border control calculus are intelligence reports concerning the political/economic/social climate of the region on the other side of the border; and alien smuggling operations. Other considerations include the volume of litter along known or new smuggling routes, abandoned vehicles, caches of narcotics, breached fences, and the volume or "freshness" of footprints or vehicle tracks along known or new smuggling routes. Information received from foreign government agencies that is considered may include hotel occupancy rates in the foreign cities and towns near the border and activities at known staging areas. The Border Patrol considers the resources currently available and what mix of additional resources are required to achieve Effective Control. An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing levels to deter illegal entries, adequately secure known smuggling routes and respond to agent observations and sensor activations is made. The Border Patrol analyzes the availability of technology (sensors, night vision scopes, cameras, etc.) to detect illegal entries. Further, the Border Patrol assesses the impact of additional tactical infrastructure to facilitate deterrence or interdictions. The Border Patrol includes the analysis of various third party indicators which are terrain dependent. For Urban Terrain, indicators include local crime rates (vandalism, vehicle thefts, burglaries, assaults); hospital emergency room records concerning injured illegal aliens; media reports; and information received from local police departments. In Rural Terrain, indicators include complaints from ranchers regarding missing livestock; complaints from farmers about damaged crops; traffic accidents involving illegal aliens; citizen complaints; and information from local sheriff's offices and state police. For Remote Terrain, indicators include abandoned vehicles or vessels found in remote areas; and complaints from Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, tribal officials, etc., concerning fires, litter and desecration of protected areas involving illegal alien activity.

Are Federal managers and program partners (including grantees, sub-grantees, contractors, cost-sharing partners, and other government partners) held accountable for cost, schedule and performance results?

Explanation: As the head of the Border Patrol program, the Chief of the Border Patrol is issued a Senior Executive Service (SES) performance-based work plan that explicitly defines performance goals and objectives. The Chief is held accountable and rated annually for program performance results and objectives developed to achieve the annual and long-term goals of the National Border Patrol Strategic Plan.

Evidence: Of the six performance goals in the Chief's work plan, five are directly related to improving border security and supporting the National Border Patrol Strategy. They are: Goal 1: Preventing the entry of terrorists and the weapons, contraband, and illegal aliens by strengthening control of our borders between the ports of entry; Goal 2: Detect and deter terrorists and illicit contraband; disrupt drug and alien smuggling; Goal 3: Increase operational control of the border between the ports of entry; Goal 5: Effectively plan and communicate with state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners to accomplish gains in border security efforts and share information and intelligence; and Goal 6: Provide Border Patrol agents with effective technology and access to systems that improve situational awareness and develop intelligence. In turn, the Sector Chiefs in the 20 Border Patrol sectors and other Border Patrol headquarters and program field executives are also held accountable and rated on their achievement in support of established cascading program goals and objectives. Sector Chiefs must demonstrate that they have achieved intended results.

Are funds (Federal and partners') obligated in a timely manner, spent for the intended purpose and accurately reported?

Explanation: The Border Patrol ensures timely obligation and accountability for the expenditure of allocated funds through highly disciplined internal agency and program planning, tracking, and reporting systems. Existing agency and program policies ensure that processes are in place that routinely audit obligations through formal quarterly and annual reviews as well as daily random obligation audits performed both at the Headquarters and field levels for maximum funds accountability.

Evidence: The entire budget execution process is outlined and guided through the CBP Budget Manual which provides guidelines for the purpose of determining and justifying the appropriate level of resources required in order to achieve the CBP mission; and distributing, controlling, and utilizing available funds in the manner intended by Congress in the most effective and economical way. Program acquisitions are governed and in strict compliance with and directed by the DHS Management Directive which is the principal document for leading, governing, integrating, and managing the acquisition functions throughout DHS. In October 2004, CBP implemented the final release of the System Applications and Products (SAP) financial software, a modular, PC-based, integrated financial management reporting system which provides a solution for its asset management, procurement, finance, and budget and reporting business practices in the obligation of funds. SAP is used to closely monitor funds and generate in-depth snap-shot, monthly, quarterly and annual budget reviews to ensure program funds are obligated in a timely manner based on specifically allocated spending plans and within the appropriate funds project codes within fiscal appropriations. CBP has fully automated Travel, Relocation, Fleet Maintenance and Purchase Card systems in place that are fully integrated with the SAP financial system and have real time funds control with approval control processes for accountability. All purchases made by program Purchase Card Holders are subject to approval prior to purchase and random or routine audits are conducted for each purchase for timely, correct and appropriate obligation. As demonstrated in the CBP Performance and Accountability Report (PAR), Border Patrol effectively uses all available CBP systems to monitor the obligation of funds along with internal quarterly, mid-year and annual reporting processes. Financial statements are audited by an independent auditor, KPMG LLP, and have been found to have no material misstatements as evidenced by the audit report included in the PAR.

Does the program have procedures (e.g. competitive sourcing/cost comparisons, IT improvements, appropriate incentives) to measure and achieve efficiencies and cost effectiveness in program execution?

Explanation: The Border Patrol takes a strategically focused and comprehensive business approach to all minor and major acquisitions resulting in effective and efficient program execution. The Border Patrol ORBBP is used to identify, program and measure costs and efficiencies nation-wide at all levels of the organization. The Border Patrol adheres to all DHS and CBP guidelines and has procedures in place at the headquarters and field levels. The Border Patrol's processes encourage effective planning and cost advantages for all minor and major acquisitions while adhering to and working within the procurement guidelines of the Federal Acquisition Program.

Evidence: The Border Patrol conducts business case reviews in the major acquisition areas of facilities, tactical infrastructure, vehicles, agent equipment, and contract labor support and information technology (IT) systems. The business case reviews are made available to be included in the OMB 300 exhibit process as outlined in the DHS Investment Review Program. Using the ORBBP, the national operational planning process used by Border Patrol, the Border Patrol has been able to fully support the President's Management Agenda government-wide initiative to successfully implement budget and performance integration. The ORBBP is a major component of the Border Patrol's acquisition strategy to identify like-requirements at specific or multiple levels for more cost effective and efficient program execution of operational objectives. The Border Patrol uses the ORBBP in the annual planning and day-to-day identification of nation-wide requirements in all program resource areas to include supplies, services, equipment and personnel to address specific operational initiatives, program areas or geographical locations where a threat has been identified. Through the ORBBP and the use of external and internal efficiency measures, the Border Patrol efficiently identifies, manages, monitors and analyzes program performance results at all levels to ensure the successful programming of resources to achieve the desired operational results. Border Patrol continues to identify both formal and informal efficiency measures to evaluate and improve on program effectiveness. Two very valuable efficiency measures were established in FY 2007 that will provide critical baseline information to evaluate and identify program efficiencies: "Operating and Maintenance Costs Effectiveness of Traffic Checkpoints" and an internal measure created to measure enforcement related statistics, operational activities, and associated costs with operating and maintaining Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). A baseline will be established to provide the data necessary to analyze the operational value and cost efficiency that FOBs provide as an alternate enforcement posture in border security.

Does the program collaborate and coordinate effectively with related programs?

Explanation: While immigration enforcement is shared with another CBP component and two other DHS components, OFO, CIS and ICE, respectively, the Border Patrol's unique responsibilities within DHS are clearly defined and delimited by law and policy. The Border Patrol is the sole federal agency charged with the responsibility of securing the border and enforcing immigration law along the border between the ports of entry. Outside of DHS, the Border Patrol recognizes that effective collaboration and coordination with other federal, state, and local government agencies is critical to its success. Collaboration and coordination enhances information sharing and the duplication of information collection activities is avoided. This collaboration and coordination serves as a force multiplier making the Border Patrol and other agency resources more efficient and effective. In some cases, these relationships are informal or ad hoc while in other cases, the relationships are formally established through Memorandums of Understanding/Agreement or by policy. Border Patrol partners include ICE, U.S. Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, tribal governments and the Department of Defense.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's mission is defined by the National Border Patrol Strategy, DHS and CBP policies and directives. Further, the Border Patrol's roles in securing the borders and enforcing immigration law are described in statute - Title 8 of the U.S. Code and Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In June 2006, the Border Patrol began a very successful joint effort, called Operation Jumpstart, with Department of Defense to deploy National Guard troops on the southwest border. The National Guard troops are performing non-law enforcement surveillance and support operations, providing a "bridge" in personnel resources as CBP continues a recruitment effort to increase border security by hiring an additional 6,000 Border Patrol agents by the end of FY 2008. Another example of coordination, Operation Streamline, began in December 2005. It was a cooperative effort between the Border Patrol, ICE, the United States Attorney's Office, the federal judiciary and the United States Marshals Service to create a zero-tolerance zone for illegal entries along a five mile section (Eagle Pass) of the Del Rio Sector area of responsibility. All illegal aliens, including Mexican nationals, who were not released for humanitarian reasons, were charged and prosecuted for illegal entry. Under Operation Streamline, the maximum penalty for illegal entry was 180 days. Operation Streamline was expanded to the entire Del Rio Sector in June 2006. In FY 2006, Operation Streamline was instrumental in reducing apprehensions, through the deterrence effect, in Del Rio Sector. The effectiveness of Border Patrol collaboration and coordination may be exemplified by its success on the northern border. The Border Patrol has made significant gains in situational awareness on the northern border. The security status of more than 3,000 northern border miles has been upgraded largely through the effective collaboration and coordination efforts of the Border Patrol with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Does the program use strong financial management practices?

Explanation: The Border Patrol has very strong financial management practices installed at all levels within the organization and effectively and accurately uses all available CBP financial systems to monitor the obligation of funds along with internal quarterly, mid-year and annual reporting processes. Program financial statements are audited by an independent auditor, KPMG LLP. In 2006, CBP received a clean audit opinion as demonstrated in the in 2006 Performance and Accountability Report. The Border Patrol uses GAO approved financial systems for funds control and financial reporting as well as internal systems to develop and refine threat based budget requirements based on strategic planning and operational environment to maximize funds accountability.

Evidence: Budget formulation is developed by the Border Patrol and budget requests are submitted to Congress through the Performance Budget Overview with full justifications linking program initiatives to strategic goals and performance using GAO approved financial systems as well as internal systems that compliment and maximize the process. The entire budget execution process is outlined and guided through the CBP Budget Manual which provides guidelines for the purpose of determining and justifying the appropriate level of resources required in order to achieve the CBP mission; and distributing, controlling, and utilizing available funds in the manner intended by Congress in the most effective and economical way. Program acquisitions are governed and in strict compliance with and directed by the DHS Management Directive which is the principal document for leading, governing, integrating, and managing the acquisition functions throughout DHS. The internal program management practice, the Border Patrol ORBBP, is used to identify, program, track, monitor, manage and measures costs and efficiencies nation-wide at all levels of the organization. The Border Patrol adheres to all department and agency guidelines and has procedures in place at the headquarters and field levels which encourage effective planning and cost advantages for all minor and major acquisitions. This integrated organization business process is the framework that supports a defined and streamlined financial management practice. By defining, tracking and reporting requirements through the ORBBP process and maximizing on the use of CBP financial systems, the Border Patrol has a complete supporting structure in place for sound financial management at all levels of the organization. The Border Patrol has fully matured and perfected the process of budget execution by managing the distribution of financial resources for maximum results. Financial systems users are properly trained to correctly utilize financial systems and managers are held accountable at all levels for managing the scheduled and anticipated performance results based on funds allocated. Verification and validation of payments and obligations are conducted periodically to ensure audit compliance throughout the execution phase and funds utilization results are reported in the DHS and CBP Performance Accountability Reports.

Has the program taken meaningful steps to address its management deficiencies?

Explanation: The Border Patrol is dedicated to making its organization as effective and efficient as possible. As such, the Border Patrol constantly reviews its operations and business processes to identify areas for improvement. Serious attention to recommendations for program improvements made by GAO and OIG audits is a priority at all levels of Border Patrol management.

Evidence: A recent GAO report concerning the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative (BSI) has led to the development of a fully developed Future Year Homeland Security Program (FYHSP) Performance Measure as well as internal performance measures to assess the effectiveness of that program. An OIG report concerning Border Patrol traffic checkpoint operations also led to the development of several comprehensive performance measurements and the development of a reporting mechanism to capture traffic checkpoint operational metrics that will be used to more closely monitor traffic checkpoint performance. Four of the new measures developed in the BSI and traffic checkpoint program areas will be reported on in the DHS and CBP Performance Accountability Report at the end of FY 2007. Theses efforts required considerable resource commitments to appropriately address program deficiencies identified by GAO and OIG and exemplify the Border Patrol's commitment to excellence. In a proactive effort to improve program performance, the Border Patrol also employed the services of the Homeland Security Institute (HSI) to assess the performance of Operation Jump Start, Operation Streamline, interior repatriation program, and traffic checkpoint operations. Finally, the Border Patrol uses the systematic and periodic assessments of its administrative and business processes made by CBP's Management Inspection Division (MID) to improve program performance. Part of the MID program is a self-inspection program (SIP). MID administers surveys to all Border Patrol elements form headquarters to station to evaluate compliance with agency policies and regulations and assess overall performance. MID complies responses and makes recommendations to Border Patrol management to make improvements.

Has the program demonstrated adequate progress in achieving its long-term performance goals?

Explanation: The Border Patrol's strategy is to incrementally gain control of the border. While the desired end state is Effective Control, incremental gains towards that end state are just as important. The long-term outcome performance measure, "Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness," demonstrates that the Border Patrol has made progress in moving all border regions towards Effective Control. It was accomplished through effective partnering with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, community organizations and citizens, which, in effect, created more "eyes and ears" for the Border Patrol. The Border Patrol's long-term outcome measure, "Percentage of Sectors Effectively Integrating Budget, Planning and Performance through ORBBP," assess the ability of the sectors to effectively integrate the budget, planning and performance processes through the use of the Operational Requirements Budget Based Program (ORBBP). The Border Patrol developed ORBBP in FY 2004. In FY 2005, ORBBP was first implemented in seven of the twenty Border Patrol sectors, designated as focus sectors. These sectors were prioritized because they had the highest threat vulnerability and enforcement activity. In FY 2006, the Border Patrol met its target to fully implement ORBBP in all 20 sectors. The goal in FY 2007 and out-years is to maintain full use of ORBBP in all twenty sectors. The Border Patrol uses the long-term output performance measure, "Miles of Permanent Tactical Infrastructure Constructed," to show cumulative gains in the installation of "Smart Border" technology placed in high threat and more vulnerable border areas to achieve miles of control. Tactical Infrastructure is one of the elements of the "right mix" of resources necessary to have in place to bring a border area under effective control. In FY 2000, Border Patrol had a total of 117 cumulative miles of tactical infrastructure strategically installed on the U.S. border. The Border Patrol achieved incremental gains in the installation of critical fencing, all-weather roads, vehicle barriers and lighting to bring the total permanent infrastructure installed to 240 miles at the end of FY 2006.

Evidence: The Border Patrol exceeded its target for "Border Miles Under Effective Control in FY 2006." Similarly, the Border Patrol exceeded the goal for the "Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness" measure. The Border Patrol also exceeded its target for "Cumulative Miles of Permanent Tactical Infrastructure Constructed" in FY2006.

Does the program (including program partners) achieve its annual performance goals?

Explanation: The Border Patrol and its program partners have met or exceeded all targets for its annual performance measures and objectives. Two of the Border Patrol's annual performance measures directly reflect the progress made towards meeting its long-term performance measures. These are, "Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status" and "Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status." Both performance measures show the progress of the Border Patrol towards gaining and maintaining Effective Control of the border. The other annual performance measures show the Border Patrol's progress in securing the border indirectly.

Evidence: While the Border Patrol did not meet it target for the annual performance measure, "Sectors Maintaining Current Operational Status," 85 percent of the sectors did maintain current operational status. The Border Patrol exceeded its target for the annual performance measure, "Sectors Exceeding Current Operational Status" with 55 percent of the sectors making gains in the level of border security. These gains, while not necessarily sustainable, represent greater efficiency of the use of Border Patrol resources to secure the border. For the annual performance measure, "Apprehensions at Traffic Checkpoints," the Border Patrol met its FY2006 target with 5.9 percent of all Border Patrol apprehensions occurring at checkpoints. The annual performance measure, "Percentage of Cases Referred for Prosecution to the U.S. Attorney Related to Traffic Checkpoints," also met its target of 9 percent of criminal cases referred for prosecution. The annual performance measure, "Percent of Narcotic Seizures at Traffic Checkpoints Compared to Total Narcotic Seizures Nation-wide," also met its target of 43 percent. The Border Patrol's met its target for the annual performance measure, "Percentage of Canine Team Assisted Narcotic Seizures," achieving 44 percent in FY2005 and 40 percent in FY2006. The target for the annual performance measure, "Number of First Responder Border Safety Trained Personnel," was met with 1,014 Border Patrol agents trained as first responders at the end of FY2006. For the annual performance measure, "Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness" significant improvements have been realized through improved efficiency. In FY2005, approximately 46 percent of the border miles were classified as Remote/Low Activity. Since FY2005, the Border Patrol reduced the number of Remote/Low Activity miles from 3,929 to 1,686, to about 19 percent.

Does the program demonstrate improved efficiencies or cost effectiveness in achieving program goals each year?

Explanation: In order to improve efficiencies and cost effectiveness, the Border Patrol has adopted a highly centralized organizational model with a direct chain of command from the CBP Commissioner, to the Chief of the Border Patrol, to the Sector Chief Patrol Agents. This national command structure facilitates national determinations on threat and resource priorities and allows for the rapid deployment of Border Patrol assets, both on a short-term, temporary basis, as well as on long-term or permanent operations. Achieving the Border Patrol strategy requires the right combination of assets to achieve control in any given border area and fully accomplish its strategic plan. Through the ORBBP process, the Border Patrol can plan, program, track and measure the application of assets to achieve the desired results through the most efficient and effective means. Each supporting objective identified though the ORBBP targets the strategic goal to gain and maintain control of the border. To ensure efficient and efficient intelligence-driven operations, the Border Patrol expanded the use of national security and terrorist-related intelligence and targeting information to improve intelligence-driven operations. In addition, the Border Patrol leveraged the intelligence capabilities of the CBP's Offices of Intelligence, Field Operations (OFO), and Anti-Terrorism to improve threat assessments, targeting efforts, operational planning, and communication to support its anti-terrorism and traditional missions. This enabled the Border Patrol to deploy its resources effectively and efficiently to target areas of greatest risk. These operations are coordinated with OFO to ensure maximum effectiveness of securing the border at and between the ports of entry.

Evidence: The Border Patrol's annual efficiency measure, "Reducing Border Miles with Minimal Situational Awareness" shows efficiency improvements (ouputs) with minimal resources (inputs). Border Patrol established definitions for the various levels of border security which are based on specific operational characteristics. This methodology represents improved efficiency in the use of resources towards gaining control of the border. The gains in border security were achieved, for the most part, with very minimal deployment of additional Border Patrol resources. The efficiency measure, "Operating and Maintenance Costs Effectiveness of Traffic Checkpoints" was established in FY2007 to examine the enforcement value and cost effectiveness associated with operating and maintaining permanent (fixed) traffic checkpoints and non-permanent (tactical) traffic checkpoints. The measure will be used to evaluate enforcement related statistics such as apprehensions, criminal arrests, narcotic seizures, etc., against operational and maintenance costs at traffic checkpoints. Operating and maintenance costs as well as enforcement related statistics are collected and tracked on a quarterly basis. In FY 2007, a baseline will be determined for all checkpoint locations. Costs incurred by checkpoints will be captured, stored, and evaluated to determine efficiency of expenditures obligated for both tactical (temporary) and permanent (fixed) traffic checkpoint operations. An additional internal measure was also created to measure enforcement related statistics and operational activities and associated costs with operating and maintaining Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).

Does the performance of this program compare favorably to other programs, including government, private, etc., with similar purpose and goals?

Explanation:

Evidence:

Do independent evaluations of sufficient scope and quality indicate that the program is effective and achieving results?

Explanation: However, the Border Patrol makes use of evaluation vehicles available to assess its programs effectiveness and ensure that they are achieving the intended results. The Border Patrol uses recommendations made by GAO and OIG to improve its operational performance. A recent GAO report concerning the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative has led to the development of several internal performance measures to assess the effectiveness of that program. An OIG report concerning Border Patrol traffic checkpoint operations also led to the development of performance measurement and the development of a reporting mechanism to capture traffic checkpoint operational metrics that will be used to more closely monitor traffic checkpoint performance. The Border Patrol has also employed the services of the Homeland Security Institute (HSI) that assessed the performance of Operation Jump Start, Operation Streamline, interior repatriation program, and traffic checkpoint operations. The Border Patrol uses the systematic and periodic assessments made by CBP's Management Inspection Division (MID) to improve its operations. Part of the MID program is a self-inspection program (SIP). MID administers surveys to all Border Patrol elements form headquarters to station to evaluate compliance with agency policies and regulations and assess overall performance. MID complies responses and makes recommendations to Border Patrol management to make improvements. Finally, the Border Patrol has no material internal control weaknesses as reported by its auditors and has received a clean audit opinion on its financial statement.

Evidence: The Border Patrol uses recommendations made by GAO and OIG to improve its operational performance. A recent GAO report concerning the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative has led to the development of several internal performance measures to assess the effectiveness of that program. An OIG report concerning Border Patrol traffic checkpoint operations also led to the development of performance measurement and the development of a reporting mechanism to capture traffic checkpoint operational metrics that will be used to more closely monitor traffic checkpoint performance. The Border Patrol has also employed the services of the Homeland Security Institute (HSI) that assessed the performance of Operation Jump Start, Operation Streamline, interior repatriation program, and traffic checkpoint operations. The Border Patrol uses the systematic and periodic assessments made by CBP's Management Inspection Division (MID) to improve its operations. Part of the MID program is a self-inspection program (SIP). MID administers surveys to all Border Patrol elements form headquarters to station to evaluate compliance with agency policies and regulations and assess overall performance. MID complies responses and makes recommendations to Border Patrol management to make improvements. Finally, the Border Patrol has no material internal control weaknesses as reported by its auditors and has received a clean audit opinion on its financial statement.