Insufficient deployment planning by program managers inhibits the proper planning for new buildings or upgrading of facilities. Insufficient deployment planning has plagued INS since our original report in 1995. Additionally, funding for facilities has not kept pace with INS personnel growth. The INS headquarters facilities personnel said that with the exception of the Alpine, Texas, Border Patrol Station, no new Border Patrol construction projects were appropriated in FY 2000. All other FY 2000 monies for construction were designated to finish projects already under way.
Vehicles are still a problem, especially the replacement of older ones.
Newer vehicles are arriving with new agents, but older vehicles are not being replaced quickly enough. Because of limited funding in FY 2000, approximately four percent of the vehicles were planned for replacement. This replacement cycle is far too long for Border Patrol vehicles that are subjected to high usage over very rough terrain. INS has made a significant improvement since our review in 1995 in providing personal equipment for Border Patrol agents. Agents are now adequately equipped with handguns, batons, body armor, radios, binoculars, and night vision goggles.