Nearly half of terrorists crossing into the U.S. to perform violent acts or escaping from the country were American citizens. 

The American Civil Liberties Union said that border inspectors have used excessive force and performed humiliating body searches on travelers entering the United States from Mexico.

Citing recent murders, raids and car chases, Gov. Jan Brewer refused the U.S. Government's claims that the border is the safest it has been in years.

Some state officials want to encourage erecting a border fence on private property but many obstacles exist.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said that security on the southern U.S. border "is better now than it ever has been" and that violence from neighboring Mexico hasn't spilled over in a serious way.

Canada's federal government is asking Canadians to weigh in on the new Canada-U.S. security perimeter.

A report by the GAO raised questions about potential security gaps along the 4,000-mile border between the U.S. and Canada, with analysts saying the "risk of terrorist activity is high," though the extent of any such activity is unknown.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned Mexico's drug cartels that any attempt to bring their violent tactics across the border would produce a powerful reaction.