Maritime Transport Security Act in the United States

Maritime Transport Security Act
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Maritime Transport Security Act
* What is the role of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in securing trade in maritime ports? 
The US government regards international trade as an essential component of the country’s economy since its merchandise exports and imports amount to trillions of money (Thompson, 2011). Therefore, the movement of goods outside and inside American land is a massive concern to the government and requires a regulatory body to facilitate some security level to the country’s economy (Customs, U. S. 2005). The US Custom and Border Protection (CBP) is a body within the US DHS (Department of Homeland Security) whose primary role is to facilitate the legal flow of merchandise in and out of the US. The agency does so by monitoring export and import merchandise; regulating the amount and type of products that American merchants sell and buying through the global market. CBP's efforts in controlling trade in the US, probably export and import, are evident through its port entry activities.
The policies designed and implemented by the CBP have several functions. First, the policies ensure a coordinated flow of US imported cargo through the country’s port entry (Thompson, 2011). Secondly, the policies facilitate the enforcement of customs and trade laws that protect US business and its customers. The implemented laws also enable a significant collection of the country’s revenue. Lastly, the policies ensure the enforcement of laws that bring about import security. For instance, to attain import security in America, CBP ensures the prevention of any weapon that can cause citizens' mass destruction (Jones & Rosenblum, 2013). Also, it prevents the importation of illegal drugs and any other contraband that may enter the US through the port. It is usually Congress's work to oversee the CBP's role in its programs (Thompson, 2011). It organizes, authorizes, and defines the function of CBP about international trade. Currently, Congress has designed laws that authorize CBP facilitation of trade and ensure an effective sharing of responsibilities between the trade community and the CBP.
* What are the agency’s “current” maritime challenges?
There are varied challenges that CBP faces in its daily undertaking at the port entries. First, the agency struggles with the challenge of resources. Usually, CBP monitors millions of cargo worth billions of dollars and process documents for over a million travelers to intercept any possible dangerous or illicit traffic (Nguyen, 2012). For that reason, it suffices to remark that the work the agency does is very demanding. Therefore, it requires efficient resourcing and utilization of the available resources in its land, maritime, and air operating environments. One major problem which comes with the high demand for resources is funding. However, CBP can gain support from the government and donors, but following their poor employment records, probably recruitment, and employee retention, the agency struggles to source funds. There are never-ending efforts to improve on the side of employment.
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