Functional Equivalent Of The Border

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1) Describe the challenges faced by US Customs and Border Protection agents attempting to secure the border. Be sure to include:

What is the functional equivalent of the border?
The “functional equivalent” of a border is generally the first practical detention point after a border crossing or the final port-of-entry” (Kim 2009). This is in place because someone can enter the United States other than the actual borders.

What is the Fourth amendment exception as it pertains to border searches?
There are two border searches under the fourth amendment. They are the functional equivalent border search and the extended border search (Kim 2009).

How are seizure statistics used to justify the mission of border security?
Seizure statistics are used to justify border patrol request for more funding and staffing. The government will be more likely to grant a larger budget with proof that the mission is succeeding. As long as border patrol is showing a return (i.e. high number of seizures) they will continue to be funded.
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Open markets and closed borders as they pertain to smuggling, free trade, and border enforcement means while the U.S. accepts goods from most country that aren’t under an embargo, all shipments and cargo entering the U.S. are closely examined to ensure that only legal goods are entering.
This ensures that illegal goods and people don’t gain access into the U.S., hence “closed borders” while ensuring that the people are able to receive goods and merchandise not made in the country.

3) What are the challenges of facilitating legal border crossings while maintaining secure