Border Security USA – New Reality Based TV Show To Debut on ABC
May 29, 2008 by national
Filed under Incident Reports
A new ABC unscripted series will take an unprecedented look behind the scenes at the government’s fight against terrorism.
The network has ordered 11 hours of “Border Security USA” from executive producer Arnold Shapiro (”Big Brother”). Shot on location throughout the United States, the series will focus on the efforts of border protection agencies to halt illegal smuggling and immigration.
A typical episode might jump from a border patrol in Texas to security screeners at a New York airport to a Coast Guard boat off Puerto Rico.
“Border” is billed as the first multiepisode television series to be shot in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as several other government agencies.
“We’re showing everyday heroes who are risking their lives to protect us,” said Shapiro, who also produced the law enforcement series “Rescue 911″ and the classic jailhouse documentary “Scared Straight.” “Every mode of transportation to get into the country, we have covered.”
“Border” is based on the Australian series “Border Security: Australia’s Front Line,” which debuted in 2004. ABC purchased the rights to the format and tapped Shapiro to shepherd the U.S. version. Shapiro wrangled the cooperation of the DHS (as well as the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, United States Citizenship & Immigration Services, the Secret Service, Customs & Border Protection and Immigration & Customs Enforcement). The network plans to launch “Border” sometime next season.
The security agents depicted in the show stop a wide range of criminal behavior. In one episode, customs finds a human skull shipped through the mail. In another, a Coast Guard boat chases cocaine smugglers.
Yet it’s the show’s depiction of the government’s post-9/11 antiterrorism efforts that’s bound to draw the most attention. In one story, two young men of Iranian descent are denied entry into the country when one is found to have relatives with ties to a terrorist organization and the other carries a fake ID.
I hope this TV show will offer a wider vision of the issue. Let’s not focus ONLY ON LATINO/HISPANIC coming into USA from the Mexican border. There is criminals entering the US from every country in the world. Europe, Asia, Middle East you name it. Otherwise, I anticipate, this show will ignite a lot of hate among the different ethnic groups.
I thought this TV show was really interesting and I’m looking forward to watching it throughout the season.
This is a REAL reality show, worth watching.
I watched this show last night. I was amazed and informed of what Homeland Security really is. I am happy to know we people who really care about this country. Just remember to all who watch this show. There are bad people in every race. Please dont make it personal. I just want to say Thank You.
It’s about time the American people get a chance to see what’s going on our Southern border. Dangerous place to work but looks like things are improving. Good series and good luck to all men and women trying to slow the invasion.
i am very disappointed in this show. i do realize the problem of immigrants into america, job loss, etc. but for what i have seen of the show, it depicts that all immigrants are up to “no good” ..they’re carrying too much money with them, must be up to something.. they drive a white car, must be up to something.. shes walking slowly and sews, must be up to something.. come on, really? maybe these people just want to get a better life (not understanding that america WONT give them that..)
anyway, if anyone has a brain they might realize how negatively this show portrays everyone else besides americans. its very sad and unfortunate.
amber they depict them up 2 no good because all the people shown except like 2 are guilty. carrying 120,000$ to another country and saying u have 60 is a crime, dont come in our country if your going to break the law and cry because the majority is immigrants thats the truth.
I am full aware of what our country is going through in regards to border security, and hope that every American has a chance to watch this show, I think most of America has no idea what is happening and the rest just have their heads stuck in the sand…Please watch this show and help keep America safe.
amber maybe these people want to get a better life and that is great but they can do it the legal way. Get the proper paperwork and don’t lie about your plans.
I am really disapointed about the leaky southern border and that all we can do is send them back across so they can do it again. If there weren’t so many gready business people here in the U.S.A. and no jobs then maybe the flow would slow. We also need people to work at jobs, not everyone starts out with a position in the work force. Like most everyone before you need to work your way to the top. Not just lay on you fat ass and expect everyone to give you a living.
This show is great. Finally a show that truly shows what the Border Patrol and Homeland Security go through to prevent infiltration into the United States by criminals, drug smugglers, gang members, terrorists, illegal aliens, etc.
Yes, we may wrongly detain some people, but it’s for the goodand safety of the country. Many people do not realize what is happening to our country because they choose to look the other way, especially most of our politicians. They don’t or won’t even back up Homeland Security and the Border Patrol agents. And big business should be ashamed for expoiting illegals for their own monetary gain.
Amen
I loved this show. I loved watching them catch people sneaking in and smuggling. I was really impressed by the skill of the employees. It isn’t on now. Will it be back?? Hope so.
Great show! Loved it! Is it coming back? Hope so also.
Why isn’t this show on anymore??
It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Homeland Security is a fascinating look at how the USA is protected by men & women across the whole country. I love the show. I hope it returns.
It is like “Cops” with an international accent.
It is not supposed to expose corrupt officers, or provide a tally of every country from which illegals come. It shows some highlights of the risky job these people perform to make it safer for us living in the USA. Very respectable and worthy.
This is my favorite show – please come back!
I really liked the show. I would like to see it again. I hope it becomes a regular weekly television show.
I love this show, I’ve been watching the Aussie version for years and was a big fan, but the american one (in my opinion) is far better, simply because there’s so much more variety in usa’s border protetection. On our version (the aussie border security) all we see is footage taken at the airport when someone’s commited some sort of an offence, or at the international post office where the occasional package with drugs will turn up. On Border Sec:USA you guys also have stories about the canadian and mexican land borders which are so interesting to watch- It’s amazing the lengths some people will go to just to smuggle in drugs (ie fill their car with drug packages, then take along kids to try and disguise their crime). On the other hand, you also get a feel for the poor mexicans who are desperate to move to america for the hope of a better life, and take all sorts of risks just to achieve that.
I hope there will be more seasons of Border Security USA!