Dozens of University of Texas at El Paso students sat in during Thursday’s Inaugural National Center for Border Security and Immigration Symposium. The theme was “educating to make a difference in border security and immigration.” The goal was to get students interested in the various federal law enforcement agencies on the right educational track.

“They're informing us of what's going on and things they're trying to improve in border security,” said David Martinez, a junior who is now looking into joining one of the Homeland Security agencies.

“I'm really interested in the border security issues that are going on right now especially with all the stuff that's going on in Juarez and in Mexico. It's a bit concerning because I live on the border, and it's nice to know that the stuff is actually being discussed,” said Martinez.

The border threat is always changing and now with the violence and uncertainty in Juarez, future agents will face new challenges.

“I gave an address today of where the threats were going to be against our nation in 10 years. I think key points are international experience, the ability to speak a foreign language, analytical skills, and certainly diversity,” said David Cuthbertson, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI El Paso Division.

“One of the ways we're going to solve these problems (of the future) is through research,” said Luis Barker, managing director for the National Center for Border Security and Immigration.

UTEP is among 10 universities in the country with a National Center for Border Security and Immigration which will conduct research to assist in border security in the future. The program is still in the developing stages, and faculty is still setting up courses and curriculums. The conference will continue Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center, across from the library.

The panel will discuss border security and the business aspect, as well as research and technology. Panel leaders for Friday include Cecilia Levine, president of MFI International Manufacturing, and FBI Special Agent Greg Witkop.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. It’s open to the public. There is a fee to attend.

For more information call 915-747-8030, or e-mail cbsanchez@utep.edu.