Border patrol agents prevent people, drugs, and weapons from entering the United States illegally.

Border patrol agents protect the US's land borders. The border patrol has four main tasks:

• Prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the US
• Detect and prevent the smuggling and unlawful entry of individuals
• Catch those in violation of immigration laws
• Prevent drugs from entering the country

The border has many official crossings where agents work. Agents monitor people and goods as they pass through the border. They talk to pedestrians and drivers and examine their passports and other required paperwork.

Agents question people in depth if they think they are attempting to smuggle something into the country. Much of the time, however, agents at legal crossings work with law-abiding people.

The border patrol uses many methods to watch the border including:

• Infrared scopes
• Low-light TV systems at night
• Plane surveillance
• Electronic sensors activated by motion, body heat, or weight

Sometimes agents provide care for people trying to cross the border illegally who are too thirsty, hungry, or ill to travel any farther. They evaluate each situation and determine the best way to respond.