GAO Report on CBP Northern Border Challenges and Staffing Gaps
Summary
A GAO report highlights significant challenges faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along the northern border, including a more than threefold increase in apprehensions from FY 2019 to 2024 and critical staffing gaps for specialists monitoring surveillance technology. The report recommends CBP develop a plan to address these workforce shortages.
What changed
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report (GAO-26-107501) detailing increased challenges at the U.S.-Canada border. Apprehensions have more than tripled between FY 2019 and FY 2024, while CBP has increased its use of surveillance technology. However, the agency faces significant staffing shortages for the specialists required to monitor this technology, with staffing rates for Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists falling below target. The GAO recommends that CBP develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address these critical workforce gaps.
This report indicates a growing operational strain on CBP's northern border operations. Compliance officers should note the agency's struggle to adequately staff essential monitoring roles despite increased technological deployment and apprehension numbers. While this is a GAO report and not a direct regulatory mandate, it signals potential future policy or resource allocation changes within DHS and CBP. The primary recommendation is for CBP to create a strategic plan for addressing staffing shortages, which could lead to new operational requirements or performance metrics for personnel management in the future.
What to do next
- Review GAO report GAO-26-107501 for insights into northern border operational challenges.
- Monitor potential future policy or resource allocation changes within DHS and CBP related to staffing and technology at the northern border.
Source document (simplified)
GAO-26-107501 Published: Feb 12, 2026. Publicly Released: Feb 12, 2026.
Fast Facts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for securing the 4,000-mile border between the U.S. and Canada. The number of people that CBP apprehended near the northern border more than tripled from FY 2019 to 2024.
In this same period, CBP increased the use of surveillance technology along the northern border. Specialists are responsible for monitoring this technology, such as by observing video feeds from camera towers.
But, CBP has faced challenges in staffing this specialist position along the northern border. We recommend that CBP develop and implement a plan to address workforce gaps in this position.
U.S.-Canada Border as Seen from Derby Line, Vermont
A row of flowerpots atop concrete blocks alongside a small stone obelisk marker that says "United States"
Highlights
Why This Matters
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has primary responsibility for securing the 4,000-mile border between the United States and Canada. Border Patrol, within CBP, reported that apprehensions in this region more than tripled from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2024. As we reported in 2024, the agency has not met agent staffing targets in recent years.
GAO Key Takeaways
Border Patrol’s efforts to secure our nation’s borders include apprehending people suspected of illicit activity such as entry without inspection and drug smuggling.
Apprehensions and drug seizures. From fiscal year 2023 to 2024, the number of people Border Patrol apprehended along the northern border increased sharply (see fig.). From fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2024, the number of Border Patrol’s drug seizures in this region varied.
Technology. CBP uses aircraft, vessels, and surveillance technology—such as cameras, radar sites, and sensors—as part of its efforts to secure the northern border. From fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2024, CBP’s deployment of this technology increased.
Staffing. In this same 5-year period, the number of agents staffed along the northern border decreased, but CBP has initiatives underway to address this issue. In addition, there was a decrease in the staffing rate for Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists who monitor surveillance technology. The staffing rate for this key position along the northern border has been below its target, and the agency does not have a plan with strategies to address the staffing gap. Developing such a plan could help Border Patrol better carry out its responsibility to secure the northern border.
Border Patrol Apprehensions Along the Northern Border from Fiscal Year 2019 Through the First Half of Fiscal Year 2025
How GAO Did This Study
We analyzed Border Patrol data on apprehensions and drug seizures, as well as CBP data on staffing and resources since fiscal year 2019. We visited six CBP units along the northern border, selected based on apprehension levels, among other factors. We also interviewed CBP officials from the other units along the northern border.
Recommendations
We recommend that CBP develop and implement a plan with strategies to address workforce gaps in the Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialist position. DHS concurred with the recommendation.
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| United States Customs and Border Protection | The Commissioner of CBP should develop and implement a plan with strategies for addressing workforce gaps in the Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialist position. | Open When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information. |
Full Report
GAO Contacts
Rebecca S. Gambler Chief Quality Officer and Managing Director of Audit Policy and Quality Assurance Audit Policy and Quality Assurance gamblerr@gao.gov
Media Inquiries
Sarah Kaczmarek Managing Director Office of Public Affairs media@gao.gov
Public Inquiries
Topics
Homeland Security Border control Border patrol Human capital management Search and seizure Law enforcement information systems Ports of entry Communications Law enforcement Surveillance systems Currency and coinage
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