"J" Directorate

"J" Directorate (Arabic: ادارة ج idārat jīm) is an agency of the federal government of the Arab Union under the Joint Security Committee, responsible for guarding the international borders of the union and operating all border crossings and other points of entry into the country in accordance with national customs and immigration policy. "J" Directorate is responsible for admitting all persons into the country via passport control and secondary questioning, and also supervises and authorises all incoming material shipments, ranging from private mail to industrial imports. Alongside the "M" (Narcotics Control) Directorate, "J" Directorate is the government's frontline agency for combatting the import and export of illegal narcotics and other contraband.

The enforcement of customs policy at border crossings as well as administration of the visa application, immigration and naturalisation process is the responsibility of the Ministry of Customs and Immigration, with "J" Directorate providing security to the ministry's establishments and offices at international points of entry. Essentially, the difference is the Ministry of Customs and Immigration decides whether to admit someone to the country, and the "J" Directorate enforces the decision.

Departments

• Customs Security Department: Responsible for ensuring the security of international points of entry controlled by the Ministry of Customs and Immigration.
• Border Security Department: Responsible for patrolling the physical boundaries of the nation's international borders, detaining illegal trespassers, and destroying smuggling infrastructure such as tunnels.
• Immigration Inspectorate: Responsible for tracking down and detaining illegal immigrants already inside the country.
• Customs Liaison Office: Coordinates customs and immigration policy with regional and international allies and liaises with foreign law enforcement agencies.
• Immigration Detention Department: Operates all detention facilities for illegal aliens and other undocumented persons.