Fact Sheet Fact Sheet

The President’s Fiscal 2001 Immigration Budget 

2/7/00 

Border Management 

The FY 2001 budget includes $164.2 million and 699 new positions to enhance 

INS’ border management strategy, facilitating the flow of legal immigration while 

preventing the illegal entry of people and contraband. 

The FY 2001 budget strengthens enforcement efforts by funding 430 additional 

Border Patrol Agents to increase staffing to more than double the FY 1993 level. Given 

the tight labor market of the past year, this budget also focuses on recruitment and 

retention of Border Patrol Agents. Funding is requested for a comprehensive pay 

reform package that will put INS in the strongest position to recruit new agents and 

retain experienced agents. 

INS will continue to expand force-multiplying technology efforts by expanding 

the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS), which provides agents the 

capability to monitor the border from remote sites, thus increasing their efficiency and 

safety. 

At the same time, this budget also maintains INS’ focus on facilitating legal 

immigration, by funding an additional 269 Immigration Inspectors. As a result of the 

dual focus on enforcement and facilitation, INS has been able to enhance its 

enforcement capabilities while reducing waits for those seeking to cross the border at 

ports of entry. 

Border Enforcement – Border Patrol Agents 

A total of 430 Border Patrol Agents and $52 million will strengthen INS multiyear border enforcement efforts. On the frontline of INS efforts to deter illegal 

immigration, these Border Patrol Agents will be critical to continue restoring integrity 

and safety to the borders, thereby improving the quality of life in border communities. 

In an environment of budget constraints and clear limitations, this budget reflects an 

increase in new agents as well as a focus on efforts, such as pay reform, to recruit and 

retain agents. ($52 million) 

Prepared by the Office of Public Affairs • Immigration & Naturalization Service • (202) 514-2648 
FY 2001 INS Budget – Border Management 

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Border Enforcement – Technology 

The overall technology request includes $20 million to deploy additional 

Remote Video Surveillance Systems, the camera portions of ISIS. The effectiveness of 

the agents will be enhanced by the deployment of this force-multiplying technology, 

allowing INS to continue the expansion of efforts to deter and prevent illegal border 

crossings. 

($20 million) 

Border Facilitation – Air and Land Ports of Entry 

The budget requests a total of 154 new Immigration Inspectors to staff new 

international airport terminals that are scheduled to be fully operational during FY 

2000 and FY 2001. These positions will enable INS to continue to meet established 

inspection times at major airports. ($12.3 million) 

A total of 87 new land border Inspectors will support new ports of entry opening 

in FY 2000 in Eagle Pass, Los Tomates and Laredo, Texas. The requested positions will 

enable INS, in conjunction with U.S. Customs Service, to ensure that primary inspection 

lanes at these new ports will be sufficiently staffed for peak travel times. In addition, 

28 Inspectors will handle increased workload at land border ports related, in part, to 

the expedited removal process. ($10.1 million) 

Pay Reform 

INS plans to implement a comprehensive pay reform initiative for Border Patrol 

Agents and Immigration Inspectors. Pay reform will improve INS’ ability to recruit and 

retain mission critical staff. The initiative also responds to changes within the nature of 

the work performed by Border Patrol Agents and Inspectors. 

• Border Patrol – A total of $40.9 million is requested to fund a pay reform initiative 

for Border Patrol Agents that includes (1) upgrading the journey level from GS-9 to 

GS-11 (which provides additional potential for promotion while still serving in a 

non-supervisory position), and (2) changing overtime compensation for Border 

Patrol Agents so that the system is more consistent with other federal law 

enforcement occupations. The nature of Border Patrol work has evolved to the point 

that agents routinely use advanced technology and are required to engage in 

investigative and intelligence work. ($40.9 million) 
FY 2001 INS Budget – Border Management 

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• Inspections – The INS budget request includes an increase of $28.9 million to 

upgrade the journey level of Immigration Inspector positions from GS-9 to GS-11. 

This reform recognizes the changes in an inspector’s job imposed by the Illegal 

Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996—increased 

knowledge requirements and enhanced authorities and responsibilities, including 

the ability to remove aliens attempting illegal or fraudulent entry into the United 

States. 

($28.9 million) 

FY 2001 Initiatives 

($ in millions) 

Initiative S&E Fees Total 

Border Enforcement – Border Patrol Agents $ 52.0 $ $ 52.0 

Border Enforcement – Technology 20.0 – 20.0 

Border Facilitation – Immigration Inspectors 10.1 12.3 22.4 

Inspectors Pay Upgrades 15.1 13.8 28.9 

Border Patrol Pay Reform 40.9 – 40.9 

TOTAL $138.1 $26.1 $164.2 

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