Guarding America's border

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Part I: Controlling Americas northern border in the new age of terrorism is a daunting task.

BLAINE, Wash. - More than 45 million trucks and cars will cross this year from Canada into the United States, any one of which could be carrying terrorists, concealing weapons of mass destruction, hiding illegal aliens or transporting illicit drugs.

This flow of vehicles, along with 80 million people, will be greeted by an undermanned force of customs and immigration inspectors at 150 ports of entry along the world's longest undefended international boundary and a thinly stretched line of Border Patrol agents stationed in the often-remote regions between the ports.

"The people up here were pretty much forgotten over the years, with most of the resources going to the southern border," said Chief Ronald H. Henley, who heads the Border Patrol's Blaine sector, one of the most active alien- and drug-smuggling corridors along the northern border.

"That all changed after September 11, with significant increases in manpower and technology," Chief Henley said.

But controlling America's 4,121-mile northern border in the new age of terrorism is a daunting challenge, especially because neither the United States nor Canada -- the two largest trading partners in the world -- have wanted security enhancements to jeopardize the free flow of trade.

Composed of urban cities, rural towns and a majestic mix of rolling plains, national parks and flower-covered meadows, the border's beauty belies some of the problems its expansiveness poses. Its sheer size makes it easily penetrable, despite natural barriers such as rugged mountains and fast-moving rivers.

Consider this:

• Illegal aliens from as many as 60 nations -- including China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, South Korea, Yemen and Mexico -- are being caught every year trying to sneak into the United States from Canada, according to the newly formed Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).