Border security

CBP Looking to Join Intelligence Community

Officials with Customs and Border Protection are pushing for the agency to join the collection of U.S. intelligence agencies, according to The Daily Beast.

The website said a former senior Department of Homeland Security official called the effort "promising."

A spokesperson for CBP did not deny the possible move and said the agency already "uses intelligence and law enforcement information to carry out our border, security, trade and travel facilitation mission."

But a former CPB official argues teaming border agents and spies could present an "Orwellian problem with law enforcement becoming both investigators and intelligence collectors."

And civil liberties advocates are also becoming increasing worried, The Daily Beast reported.  Phones and laptops of people traveling into the U.S. can be searched by Border Patrol agents without warrants, the website said. And the website added the agency has already said the number of cell phone and laptop searches increased from about 19,000 to 30,000 during fiscal year 2016-2017.