Recently, Security Management published an article highlighting some of the advantages and downfalls of the Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST) initiative. BEST was created by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with hopes of finding and stopping serious threats to border security. In order to lessen the extreme violence along the U.S. southern border ICE paired with federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement to create the agency.

Currently 11 BESTs are in place in Texas, California, Washington, New York and Arizona. BEST teams are expected to expand to more ports including Miami and Newark/ New York.
 
We need a solution to the increasing border violence, and BEST works. In 2008 BEST teams made 1,000 criminal arrests and 1,256 administrative arrests. This was a 35 percent increase from 2007. BEST teams also seized over55 thousand pounds of illegal drugs, vehicles, boats and properties. While other agencies in the past have grappled with severe border security issues, BEST teams have an advantage other agencies do not. They have the opportunity to demonstrate smart security that leads to results.

If Napolitano is interested in keeping our borders safe she should increase support for programs like BEST, in addition to others such as the 287(g) program. State and local authorities need increased support to handle the growing border security problem, and programs like these are the way to make this happen. BEST teams have demonstrated what they are capable of, yet remain small in numbers. DHS’s Southwest Border Security Initiative plan to double the BEST team staff is a step in the right direction. Increased support will yield safer borders for the U.S. in addition to our southern and northern neighbors.