Department of Homeland Security: Reporting on Border Security Metrics Could Be Improved

The U.S. has approximately 6,000 miles of land borders, 95,000 miles of coastline, and more than 300 ports of entry where travelers and cargo are inspected. Securing U.S. border areas is a key part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) mission. Its ability to measure border security activities is essential to managing its responsibilities effectively.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessed the methodology and data in DHS’s report, analyzed DHS’s use of statistical models, and interviewed officials from DHS offices and components involved in developing the metrics