Describe the legal authority that governs Border Patrol operations.

The legal authority that governs Border Patrol operations primarily comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and other federal statutes. The INA outlines the procedures for the admission, exclusion, and deportation of aliens in the United States. It also provides the framework through which federal agencies, including Border Patrol, enforce immigration laws.

This federal authority is essential because the Border Patrol operates primarily at the national level, enforcing laws related to immigration and customs as they pertain to the United States' borders. Federal statutes give Border Patrol agents the power to stop, search, and apprehend individuals they suspect may be attempting to illegally cross the border or violate immigration laws.

Other sources of law, such as the Constitution and state laws, play a role in shaping broad legal principles and rights but do not specifically govern border enforcement in the same direct way as federal legislation does. Local municipal codes and international treaties can influence certain aspects of border operations, but the core legal framework for Border Patrol activities is established through the INA and related federal statutes.