Border security in the United States
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In the United States, border security includes the protection of ports, airports, and the country's 3,017-mile (4,855 km) land border with Canada and 1,933-mile (3,111 km) border with Mexico.
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Central to U.S. national security, border security incorporates responses to issues such as terrorism, illegal immigration, smuggling, and human trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established after the September 11 attacks, is the primary institution responsible for adapting border security measures to counter perceived threats effectively.
The U.S. approach to border security has evolved in response to incidents like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which triggered extensive policy reforms to increase the resources provided for homeland protection. These reforms also included the tightening of visa issuance procedures and stricter border controls, accompanied by ongoing debate over the balance between open borders and national security, especially on the politically sensitive US-Mexico border.