Special agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement were the guest speakers at the Federal Bar Association monthly meeting Tuesday at the Omni. The new bureau handles customs investigations, immigration investigations, customs air and marine interdiction, federal protective services, detention and removal of illegal aliens, immigration and customs intelligence. Falling under the umbrella of customs enforcement, special agents conduct strategic investigations and act to deter computer crimes, money laundering, trade fraud and the entry of narcotics into the country.
“For over 20 years, customs services have maintained a close eye on our borders,” said Special Agent Dale Hickman. “We act as America’s front line.”
Last year’s statistics showed that the U.S. Customs Service, on a typical day, examines 2,642 aircraft, 50,889 trucks/containers, 355,004 vehicles, 588 vessels and over 1.3 million passengers. These services operate out of 131 domestic and 31 foreign offices.
“Our world changed along with everybody else’s on Sept. 11,” said Hickman. “We take these new terrors very personally and very seriously.”
Customs and immigration matters are still separate, but should be included within the next year. According to Hickman, the customs department will grow from 3,500 to 8,500 special agents.
— by Monica Chamness