Which authority permits special agents to perform inspections at the border without the need for suspicion?

The authority that permits special agents to carry out inspections at the border without requiring any particular suspicion is found in 8 USC 1357(a)(1). This statute grants customs officers and immigration agents the power to examine persons and goods arriving in the United States, thereby allowing these agents to conduct inspections as part of their duties associated with immigration and customs enforcement.

The key aspect of this authority is that it empowers agents to conduct their inspections irrespective of whether there is an existing suspicion of illegal activity. This is critical for maintaining national security and enforcing laws at the borders, enabling special agents to act preemptively and comprehensively in their inspections and decision-making processes without waiting for specific evidence or alerts.

In this context, it is important to remember that other statutes may outline different powers or stipulations that apply under certain circumstances, but 8 USC 1357(a)(1) specifically enables the proactive and broad enforcement capability necessary for border checks.