CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES-MEXICO BORDER IS A COMPLEX TASK THAT REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED EFFORT BY ALL SEGMENTS OF THE BORDER LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DEVELOPED AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY OR A COMPREHENSIVE BORDER CONTROL PLAN. ALTHOUGH VARIOUS FEDERAL REPORTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN RECENT YEARS IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS AMONG FEDERAL BORDER ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND CONTAINING SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THEIR COOPERATION AND COORDINATION, THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM REMAIN. AGENCIES CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY THEIR SPECIFIC MISSIONS APART FROM THE PLANNING OF OTHER BORDER AGENCIES. LITTLE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO OVERALL BORDER SECURITY. A FEDERAL STRATEGY THAT WOULD ASSIGN BORDER CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES TO A SINGLE AGENCY PROMISES THE GREATEST SUCCESS. PENDING ANY SUCH DECISION, WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH SHOULD PROVIDE THE CONGRESS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONG THE BORDER, INCLUDING AN ANALYSIS WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER THE BUDGET REQUESTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES OF THE VARIOUS BORDER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OFFICE OF DRUG ABUSE POLICY, AND THE PRINCIPAL BORDER AGENCIES SHOULD DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR BORDER CONTROL. (RCB)