President Bush’s budget for fiscal year 2007 includes a 9.8 percent increase for customs and border protection.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced this week the department’s $7.84 billion budget is an increase of $702.3 million over last year.
That means an additional $458.9 million to place 1,500 more trained guards at international border crossings, and various other multi-million dollar expansions.
Notable budget items include:
- $337 million for anti-terrorism and illegal movement;
- $302.5 million for the Automated Commercial Environment program and an additional $142.7 million for critical operations;
- $100 million for border technology;
- $55 million for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism;
- $50.8 million for permanent vehicle barriers in western Arizona;
- $30 million for lighting, fencing and patrol roads near San Diego;
- $12 million for staffing at seaports;
- $8.5 million for additional border agents assigned to Arizona;
- $6.8 million for National Targeting Center research;
- $4.8 million to expand the Immigration Advisory Program to Europe by 2007;
- $3 million for CPB audits and staffing; and
- $1.2 million for analysis of fraudulent documents.
