Veteran CBP agent talks border security
Veteran U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Mark P. Hall will address the Eastside Republican Club at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
Hall is past president of the Detroit National Border Patrol Council and has testified before committees of both the U.S. Senate and House on such issues as illegal immigration, terrorism, alien and drug smuggling at the U.S./Canadian border.
“We hear daily about the crisis at our southern border and learn more every day about other ways that additional thousands are being inserted without the usual clearance into the interior of our country,” said ERC chairman Mike Vethacke in a statement.
“Mark Hall’s experience and contacts give him a unique perspective on the state of our border security and the extent of vulnerabilities. We are honored to have him as our guest speaker on the subject,” Vethacke added.
Forum doors open at 7 p.m. for coffee and networking in advance of the meeting.
Hall served as a Border Patrol agent supervisor before retiring in 2022 after 36 years of service with assignments in 26 states, including Michigan, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
In retirement he has served with the Border Patrol to conduct recruiting, public information, and liaison with other law enforcement partners. He currently serves an international corporation as chief security officer.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the Department of Homeland Security and is the country's primary border control organization with more than 45,600 sworn federal agents and officers.
CBP is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration regulations.
The Eastside Republican Club Forum is held monthly from September through May. Admission is free and the public is always welcome.
Due to a scheduling conflict, rather than meeting on the third Tuesday, the ERC’s May Form is scheduled for the second Tuesday, May 14.