What is the primary mission of the U.S. Border Patrol?

The primary mission of the U.S. Border Patrol focuses on detecting and preventing illegal immigration and smuggling across U.S. borders. This mission is foundational to the Border Patrol's role in maintaining national security and ensuring that immigration laws are upheld. They achieve this by monitoring border areas, utilizing technology and on-the-ground resources, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies.

While facilitating legal immigration processes is essential, it does not represent the primary enforcement role of the Border Patrol. Conducting border surveillance with armed forces is a more specific function that involves broader national defense considerations, which is not the singular focus of the Border Patrol. Managing refugee claims at borders addresses a specific aspect of immigration but does not encapsulate the overarching goal of preventing illegal entry and smuggling activities, which is at the core of the Border Patrol's mission.