The United States government's greatest task is to protect North America's borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as all ports of entry. Without adequate border security, we cannot have a secure nation. Since 9/11, the government has spent billions of dollars improving the country's security systems, but border security remains weak. The borders are an unobstructed point of entry for illegal immigrants, drugs, weapons, money laundering, human trafficking and terrorist groups. Security challenges along the border offer a variety of issues. The current model used to protect and deter illegal immigrants, criminals, drug lords, terrorists and human trafficking is ineffective. It is the government's responsibility to stop these illegal activities and provide protection from all current problems. The United States must aim to strengthen border security to decrease the free flow of illegal activities and potential terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. This article will highlight the current problems with border security and illegal activities surrounding the border.HistoryThe history of US borders and border security agencies began after the War of the American Revolution of 1783. After the war, the United States established partial borders, but not all of the borders we know today. The border did not happen overnight, but was a process of exploration and expansion into the nation we know today. The story shows the struggle the United States faced in securing and maintaining its borders. In July 1789, Congress passed the Tariff Act, which created the first Customs Department controlled by the Treasury Department. With the growing needs of the border, the treasuries chose to create the Division of Customs in 1875. In 1927, the Division of Customs formed the B...... middle of paper ......lding the Homeland Security State . NACLA Report on the Americas, 41(6), 15-20.Mora, Edwin. (8 May 2012). GAO: New Border Patrol Strategy Lacks Measures to Evaluate Effectiveness. CNSNews.com. Retrieved November 11, 2012. From http://cnsnews.com/news/article/gao-new-border-patrol-strategy-lacks-measures-gauge- Effectiveness-0.Realuyo CB It's all about the money - Wilson Center | Independent… (Nd). Retrieved from http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Realuyo_U.S.-Mexico_Money_LaundeSalett, Elizabeth Pathy, LICSW (2007) “Update on Human Trafficking and the Practice of Modern Slavery: Human Rights and Business international”; accessible online at: http://www.apcss.orgWarde, I. (2008). The price of fear. Los Angeles: University of California Press. Whitlock, C. (2008, August 24). Al-Qaeda controls cheap terrorism. The Washington Post, p. A01.