Behind the Scenes

Transition team briefs White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card on ideas for border consolidation. Border and Transportation Security chief Asa Hutchinson begins meetings with border agency chiefs on possible consolidation. Secretary Tom Ridge unveils border security reorganization plan. Border agencies shift into the Homeland Security Department, forming the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Homeland Security must issue plan for consolidating field offices.