Recommendation: To ensure that the checkpoint design process results in checkpoints that are sized and resourced to meet operational and community needs, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should require that current and expected traffic volumes be considered by the Border Patrol when determining the number of inspection lanes at new permanent checkpoints, that traffic studies be conducted and documented, and that these requirements be explicitly documented in Border Patrol checkpoint design guidelines and standards.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Closed - Implemented

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found that the Border Patrol did not conduct traffic studies when designing three recently constructed checkpoints. As a result, we could not determine if the Border Patrol complied with its checkpoint design guidelines to consider current and future traffic volumes when determining the number of inspection lanes at three recently constructed checkpoints. In the absence of documented traffic studies, the Border Patrol could not determine if the number of inspection lanes at each of these checkpoints was consistent with current and projected traffic volumes, or if a different number of lanes would have been more appropriate. We recommended that the Border Patrol require that traffic studies be conducted and documented for all new permanent checkpoints, and that traffic volumes be considered by the Border Patrol when determining the number of inspection lanes at these new checkpoints. On October 28, 2009, the Border Patrol finalized an addendum to the Border Patrol Facilities Design Standard, which requires the Border Patrol to acquire, document, and utilize traffic study data collected by the State Departments of Transportation regarding current and projected traffic volumes on roadways where permanent checkpoints are to be constructed. The traffic studies will be documented by the Border Patrol and utilized as the baseline requirement to determine the number of inspection lanes at new permanent checkpoints.

Recommendation: To improve the reliability and accountability of checkpoint performance results to the Congress and the public, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should use the information generated from the quality of life measures in conjunction with other relevant factors to inform resource allocations and address identified impacts.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Open

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found that while the Border Patrol's national strategy cites the importance of assessing the community impact of Border Patrol operations, the implementation of such measures was lacking in terms of checkpoint operations. We recommended that Border Patrol implement such measures in areas of community concern to provide greater attention and priority in Border Patrol operational and staffing decisions to address any existing issues. In October 2009, the Border Patrol reported that once it had completed an upgrade of its existing checkpoint data systems and had reevaluated its checkpoint performance measures, the agency would begin using information garnered by these performance measures to inform future resource allocation decisions. This was expected to be completed by September 30, 2010. As of February 23, 2011, Border Patrol reported that due to budget and other issues, the checkpoint system upgrades were not complete. In addition, Border Patrol reported that due to budget issues, the agency only recently awarded a contract with the Department of Homeland Security Centers for Excellence to study checkpoint performance and to develop appropriate measures. As of April 11, 2012, Border Patrol reported that the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, El Paso, who are working on a grant to produce results for CBP on Checkpoints, are asking for an extension until December 2012, as they will not be finished with their report by June 2012. As a result, Border Patrol expects to complete these tasks and address this recommendation by June 2013.

Recommendation: To improve the reliability and accountability of checkpoint performance results to the Congress and the public, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should implement the quality of life measures that have already been identified by the Border Patrol to evaluate the impact that checkpoints have on local communities. Implementing these measures would include identifying appropriate data sources available at the local, state, or federal level, and developing guidance for how data should be collected and used in support of these measures.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Open

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found that the Border Patrol had identified some measures to evaluate the impact that checkpoints have on local communities in terms of quality of life, but Border Patrol had not implemented the measures. As a result, the Border Patrol lacked information on how checkpoint operations could affect nearby communities. In October 2009, the Border Patrol reported that it was reevaluating its checkpoint performance measures, including quality of life measures. This was expected to be completed by September 30, 2010. On February 23, 2011, Border Patrol reported that due to budget issues, the agency only recently awarded a contract with the Department of Homeland Security Centers for Excellence to study checkpoint performance and to develop appropriate measures. As of April 11, 2012, Border Patrol reported that the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, El Paso, who are working on a grant to produce results for CBP on Checkpoints, are asking for an extension until December 2012, as they will not be finished with their report by June 2012. As a result, Border Patrol expects to complete these tasks and address this recommendation by June 2013.

Recommendation: To improve the reliability and accountability of checkpoint performance results to the Congress and the public, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should establish internal controls for management oversight of the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of checkpoint performance data.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Open

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found inconsistencies in the way field agents collected and entered performance data into the checkpoint information system. As a result, data reported in the system were unreliable. We recommended that Border Patrol establish internal controls to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of checkpoint performance data. In October, 2009, the Border Patrol reported internal control solutions were underway, which would primarily involve upgrading its existing checkpoint data systems and creating a checkpoint data oversight protocol. These efforts were expected to be completed by September 30, 2010. As of February 23, 2011, Border Patrol reported that due to budget and other issues, the checkpoint system upgrade has not been completed, and the rewritten checkpoint data protocol has not been approved. As of April 11, 2012, Border Patrol reported that the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, El Paso, who are working on a grant to produce results for CBP on Checkpoints, received an extension until December 2012 to complete their report. In March 2013, Border Patrol stated it expects to address this recommendation by June 30, 2013.

Recommendation: To improve the reliability and accountability of checkpoint performance results to the Congress and the public, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should establish milestones for determining the feasibility of a checkpoint performance model that would allow the Border Patrol to compare apprehensions and seizures to the level of illegal activity passing through the checkpoint undetected.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Open

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found, among other things, that the Border Patrol had developed some useful measures of checkpoint performance, but the agency lacked a model or method that would allow the agency to compare the number of apprehensions and seizures made at the checkpoint to the level of illegal activity passing through the checkpoint undetected. The lack of this information challenged the Border Patrol's ability to measure checkpoint effectiveness and provide public accountability. We recommended that the Border Patrol establish timelines for determining the feasibility of such a checkpoint performance model. In October, 2009, Border Patrol reported that it was committed to evaluating, and if possible, developing a checkpoint model of effectiveness, and would explore ways to develop such a model either using internal or external resources. Expected completion for developing the model was by the end of fiscal year 2011. However, on February 23, 2011, Border Patrol reported that the agency had recently awarded a contract to the Department of Homeland Security Centers for Excellence to study checkpoint performance, including developing a checkpoint performance model. Border Patrol reported that this study could take 2 years, and identified June 30, 2013, as a target date for addressing this recommendation.

Recommendation: To ensure that the checkpoint design process results in checkpoints that are sized and resourced to meet operational and community needs, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection should, in connection with planning for new or upgraded checkpoints, conduct a workforce planning needs assessment for checkpoint staffing allocations to determine the resources needed to address anticipated levels of illegal activity around the checkpoint.

Agency Affected: Department of Homeland Security: Directorate of Border and Transportation Security: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Status: Open

Comments: In our review of Border Patrol traffic checkpoints, we found that Border Patrol's checkpoint strategy to push illegal aliens and smugglers to areas around checkpoints-which could include nearby communities-underscores the need for the Border Patrol to ensure that it deploys sufficient resources and staff to these areas. We recommended that Border Patrol conduct a needs assessment when planning for a new or upgraded checkpoint in order to better ensure that officials consider the potential impact of the checkpoint on the community and plan for a sufficient number of agents and resources. In October 2009, Border Patrol reported that the agency was evaluating its checkpoint policy regarding the establishment of a new checkpoint or the upgrade of an old checkpoint, and checkpoint policy changes would be finalized by September 30, 2010. Border Patrol also reported that checkpoint system upgrades that capture data on checkpoint performance would help management determine future resource needs at checkpoints. As of February 23, 2011, Border Patrol reported that due to budget and other issues, the checkpoint system upgrade has not been completed, and the rewritten checkpoint data protocol has not been approved. Border Patrol expects to address this recommendation by June 2013.