The Roads Not Taken:
Historical Proposals to Merge the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard
Introduction
Throughout U.S. history, various federal law enforcement agencies have been reshaped in response to national security needs. One of the most intriguing historical proposals surfaced in 1930 and 1932, when Congress considered placing the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) under the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
While this idea never came to fruition, it invites an interesting historical exercise: What might have happened if it had? Would the USBP have developed a military-style rank structure? Could it have functioned under Title 14 alongside the Coast Guard while retaining its law enforcement role? While this idea never came to fruition, studying these past proposals provides valuable insight into how federal law enforcement agencies evolve over time.
This page examines the historical context of these proposals and speculates on how the USBP might have looked today if this early idea had come to pass.
Throughout U.S. history, various federal law enforcement agencies have been reshaped in response to national security needs. One of the most intriguing historical proposals surfaced in 1930 and 1932, when Congress considered placing the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) under the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
While this idea never came to fruition, it invites an interesting historical exercise: What might have happened if it had? Would the USBP have developed a military-style rank structure? Could it have functioned under Title 14 alongside the Coast Guard while retaining its law enforcement role? While this idea never came to fruition, studying these past proposals provides valuable insight into how federal law enforcement agencies evolve over time.
This page examines the historical context of these proposals and speculates on how the USBP might have looked today if this early idea had come to pass.
The 1930 and 1932 Proposals
Congressional bills H.R. 11204 (1930) and H.R. 9747 (1932) proposed shifting the USBP under the authority of the Coast Guard, creating a unified border and maritime security force.
At the time, the Great Depression had led Congress to reassess government efficiency, and lawmakers revisited the idea of merging these two agencies. However, a 1930 article raised concerns about the feasibility of such a plan. See the last two pages of the article here.
Why the Plan Was Never Implemented
Some of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposed merger included:
Due to these concerns, Congress ultimately chose to keep the organizations separate.
Congressional bills H.R. 11204 (1930) and H.R. 9747 (1932) proposed shifting the USBP under the authority of the Coast Guard, creating a unified border and maritime security force.
At the time, the Great Depression had led Congress to reassess government efficiency, and lawmakers revisited the idea of merging these two agencies. However, a 1930 article raised concerns about the feasibility of such a plan. See the last two pages of the article here.
Why the Plan Was Never Implemented
Some of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposed merger included:
- Differing Missions – The Coast Guard’s maritime, military, and lifesaving functions contrasted with the USBP’s law enforcement and immigration enforcement roles.
- Jurisdictional Conflicts – Merging land and sea enforcement under one command posed logistical and legal challenges.
- Organizational Culture Differences – The Coast Guard followed a military-style command structure, while the USBP was a civilian law enforcement agency.
Due to these concerns, Congress ultimately chose to keep the organizations separate.
What If the USBP Had Merged with the Coast Guard?
Had this merger occurred, USBP agents might have operated under a rank and pay structure similar to the U.S. Coast Guard or other federal uniformed services. While this never happened, it is an interesting historical exercise to imagine how it might have been structured.
Possible Rank Structure & Pay Grade Alignment
If the USBP had been absorbed into the Coast Guard, it might have developed a military-style rank system instead of the General Schedule (GS) pay scale.
On the supervisory side, agents might have been aligned with officer ranks:
Of course, this is purely hypothetical, but it provides an intriguing look at how federal law enforcement might have evolved under a military-style system.
Had this merger occurred, USBP agents might have operated under a rank and pay structure similar to the U.S. Coast Guard or other federal uniformed services. While this never happened, it is an interesting historical exercise to imagine how it might have been structured.
Possible Rank Structure & Pay Grade Alignment
If the USBP had been absorbed into the Coast Guard, it might have developed a military-style rank system instead of the General Schedule (GS) pay scale.
- GS-7 → Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) – Entry-level agent
- GS-9 → Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) – More specialized experience
- GS-11 → Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) – Field expert with some supervisory responsibilities
- GS-12 → Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) – Senior technical specialist
On the supervisory side, agents might have been aligned with officer ranks:
- GS-13 → O-4 (Major) – First-line supervisor
- GS-14 → O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) – Mid-level leadership
- GS-15 → O-6 (Colonel) – Sector chief equivalent
- SES (Senior Executive Service) → O-7 to O-10 (General ranks)
Of course, this is purely hypothetical, but it provides an intriguing look at how federal law enforcement might have evolved under a military-style system.
Lessons from the Past
While the proposed merger of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the early 20th century never materialized, the discussions surrounding it provide valuable insights into the evolution of federal law enforcement agency structures. Over the years, various restructuring initiatives have been undertaken to enhance efficiency and address emerging challenges:
These historical and recent efforts highlight that the organizational structures of federal agencies are continually evolving in response to national priorities and security challenges. Understanding past proposals and implementations offers valuable lessons for considering future structural changes within federal law enforcement and related agencies.
While the proposed merger of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the early 20th century never materialized, the discussions surrounding it provide valuable insights into the evolution of federal law enforcement agency structures. Over the years, various restructuring initiatives have been undertaken to enhance efficiency and address emerging challenges:
- Creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003: In response to the events of September 11, 2001, DHS was established to consolidate multiple agencies, including the USBP and the USCG, under one department. This reorganization aimed to improve coordination and communication among agencies responsible for protecting the homeland.
- Post-9/11 Transformation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Following the September 11 attacks, the FBI underwent significant changes to prioritize counterterrorism efforts, reflecting the need for agencies to adapt to evolving threats.
- Recent Proposals for Government Efficiency: In February 2025, an executive order titled “Implementing The President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative” was issued, directing federal agencies to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. This initiative underscores the ongoing efforts to restructure federal operations to better serve the public.
These historical and recent efforts highlight that the organizational structures of federal agencies are continually evolving in response to national priorities and security challenges. Understanding past proposals and implementations offers valuable lessons for considering future structural changes within federal law enforcement and related agencies.
Conclusion
Although the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard continue to operate separately, the 1930 and 1932 proposals remain a fascinating historical “what-if.” If things had played out differently, USBP agents today might be wearing Coast Guard uniforms, holding military-style ranks, and operating under a completely different command structure.
Understanding these past discussions helps provide insight into the evolution of federal law enforcement and the decisions that shaped it into what it is today.
Although the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard continue to operate separately, the 1930 and 1932 proposals remain a fascinating historical “what-if.” If things had played out differently, USBP agents today might be wearing Coast Guard uniforms, holding military-style ranks, and operating under a completely different command structure.
Understanding these past discussions helps provide insight into the evolution of federal law enforcement and the decisions that shaped it into what it is today.
Disclaimer: This article is intended as a historical analysis and does not advocate for any policy changes or restructuring of federal agencies.
