CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s largest and most complex components, with the main objective of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S.
It also has the responsibility of securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations including immigration and drug laws. The CBP mission statement and core values are the vigilance, service, and integrity of America, and American people. CBP includes more than 41 000 employees to manage, control and protect the Nation’s borders, at and between the official ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection assess all passengers flying into the U.S. form abroad for terrorist risk. They are able to better identify people who may pose a risk through initiatives such as: the Advance Passenger Information System, United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indication Technology, and the Student and Exchange Visitor System. This was not a focus prior 9/11, but a shift in priorities and the formation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made this the top priority of the agency. 
