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Border and Port Security

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Border and port security agencies are charged with keeping their nations safe from terrorists and illegal, smuggled goods. RAND researchers examine border and port security challenges and immigration issues, and also advises U.S. Customs and Border Security on ways to best allocate its limited resources.

Report
Characterization of the Synthetic Opioid Threat Profile to Inform Inspection and Detection Solutions
The opioid overdose crisis has accelerated in recent years because of the arrival of potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and related substances. Analysis of regional trends can help inform decisions about how and where to deploy law enforcement interventions.
Sep 9, 2019
Research Brief
Human Smuggling Operations from Central America to the United States
Smuggling unlawful migrants from Central America to the United States generated between $200 million and $2.3 billion for human smugglers in 2017. The wide range reflects uncertainty about the number of migrants, their use of smugglers, and the fees they pay. Transnational criminal organizations are only one type of actor involved.
Apr 22, 2019

Explore Border and Port Security

Commentary
The Wall Is Not the Only Answer
The president and Congress have just days to negotiate an agreement over border security, or the government may shut down once again. Until a bipartisan effort is made to reform U.S. immigration laws, policy options to address the incentives that cause people to risk their lives to come to the border to claim asylum will continue to be limited.
Feb 8, 2019
Blog
State of the Union: Insights from RAND
To shed light on a wide range of topics that figured in President Trump's second State of the Union address, we've rounded up insights from some of RAND's objective and nonpartisan research, analysis, and expertise.
Feb 6, 2019
Commentary
Shutdown Could Provide Opening for Adversaries to Corrupt Those Protecting the U.S. Homeland
Every day that the government shutdown continues prolongs the financial hardship for those on the front lines protecting the United States and gives cartels and transnational criminal organizations an opening to try to corrupt the DHS ranks. As negotiations continue to stall, the Trump administration and Congress should consider taking steps to guard against this vulnerability.
Jan 22, 2019
Blog
Border Wall, Student Suspension, Syria: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on what a border wall can accomplish, reducing student suspensions, confusion over the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, and more.
Jan 11, 2019
Commentary
What Border Walls Can and Cannot Accomplish
States have been building walls since ancient times. Some were arguably quite successful, others less so. At the core of prudent policy lies a basic question: What can walls realistically accomplish?
Jan 8, 2019
Commentary
America's Overwhelmed Immigration System
The Trump administration's options to deal with the surge of asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border appear to be limited. What policies could help address the problem?
Dec 5, 2018
Blog
Saudi Arabia, Border Troops, China's Military: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how to deter aggression abroad, examining the need for U.S. troops at the border, China's aerospace capabilities, and more.
Nov 23, 2018
Commentary
The U.S. Military's Border Enforcement Role
The Trump administration announced a deployment of at least 5,200 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. Is a military response of this size needed to address the situation on the southern border?
Nov 19, 2018
Report
Looking to the Future of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP): Assessment of the Consolidation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and the DIBP (2016–2017)
This report summarizes the results of a follow-on evaluation of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and informs the upcoming transition to an Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Jun 18, 2018
Commentary
New Border Policy Could Have Unintended Consequences
The Trump administration has announced significant policy changes to deter migrants from coming to America. These changes will likely have a significant impact on border operations and the federal court system. But it's less clear whether they will have the intended impact of reducing illegal immigration.
May 21, 2018
Report
Managing International Borders: Balancing Security with the Licit Flow of People and Goods
This Perspective builds on global best practices and lessons learned from other established border management solutions and proposes opportunities to strengthen security while improving the flow of travelers and goods.
May 9, 2018
Periodical
RAND Review: May-June 2018
This issue features research on preventing child abuse and neglect and improving outcomes for children in the U.S. child-welfare system; a look back on RAND's 70 years of innovation; and an exploration of the human side of artificial intelligence.
Apr 30, 2018
Commentary
European Security Cooperation Should Remain Comprehensive—Especially After Brexit
During Brexit negotiations, it could be tempting for the UK and EU to use certain security structures as 'bargaining chips'. However, it is in no one's interests for both sides to adopt a 'zero-sum' approach to security discussions.
Mar 28, 2018
Commentary
Prioritizing Security at the U.S. Border with Mexico
As debate on border security continues, policymakers would be wise to look beyond the heated rhetoric to clearly identify priorities and make informed decisions about how best to deploy finite resources to get the strongest security for the investment.
Jan 29, 2018
Commentary
Is Macron Set to 'Take Back Control' of UK-France Border After Brexit?
As French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in London for the 35th UK-France Summit, there is growing French discomfort with arrangements at the UK-France border. The UK's decision to leave the European Union has added new urgency to this already fraught debate.
Jan 17, 2018
Commentary
The Big Border Security Question
What does a secure U.S.-Mexico border look like? And what kind of security measures are needed? Despite investing billions of dollars since 9/11, it's still a struggle to measure how effective U.S. border security operations are.
Dec 9, 2017
Commentary
Broken Border or Broken Policy?
What does a secure land border look like? The U.S. government's inability to provide an answer has trapped America in a vicious cycle. Every decade, the perception that the U.S.-Mexico border isn't secure enough leads to big investments—with mixed results.
Nov 17, 2017
Commentary
Addressing Europe's Migrant Crisis Takes More Than Stopping the Boats from Libya
Treating migration from Libya as a border security issue has reduced migration across the Mediterranean. But efforts to keep migrants in Libya are fraught with risks, exacerbate a massive human rights problem, and do not address Libya's long-term economic and political stabilization.
Sep 25, 2017
Commentary
Sixty Years Later European Integration Has Benefited EU Countries
Sixty years after the Treaty of Rome, the EU is facing one of its most challenging periods. Closer ties and shared values across EU member states have provided social and economic benefits but any moves towards closer integration in Europe will fail to materialize in the absence of political will.
Mar 28, 2017
Commentary
How Will Defense and Security Be Affected by Brexit?
Trade and migration issues have dominated Brexit discussions. But the UK's decision to leave the EU also creates challenges for security, deepening uncertainty at a time when little certainty exists.
Mar 16, 2017

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RAND Topic:
Border and Port Security

Research conducted by

Justice Policy

Researcher Spotlight

David Luckey

Senior International / Defense Researcher

David S. Luckey is a senior international and defense researcher at the RAND Corporation and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He came to RAND from the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs where he was the director of Homeland Security…
Sarah Lovell

Technical Analyst

Sarah Lovell is a technical analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research interests lie at the intersection of national security, emerging technology, and identity.

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