Tuesday, 19 March, 2002 US
Considers Plan to Merge 2 Border Agencies VOA
News 19
Mar 2002

The team in charge of
domestic U.S. security is reported to have discussed plans to merge three
federal agencies responsible for border security.
Senior Bush
administration officials say one of several recommendations discussed Tuesday
called for consolidating border agencies - including the Customs Service, the
Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border
Patrol.
But the officials say
no decision has been made.
The plan is an effort
to streamline government operations and improve border defenses after the
September terrorist attacks.
Legislation has been
introduced in the U.S. Congress calling for agency consolidation and the
creation of a new independent cabinet-level agency to focus on domestic
security.
Administration
officials say if the agencies are combined, President Bush wants it to be done
under an existing cabinet agency, most likely either the Justice Department or
Treasury Department.
Some information
for this report provided by AP.
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