In recent decades, American border security officials have increased their use of military hardware, adopted training and tactics originally used by military forces, and increasingly collaborated with military and intelligence personnel. Much of this has occurred during episodic crises, which introduce profit opportunities for political entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurial responses to crises create additional political profit opportunities associated with maintaining and expanding the militarized aspects of border security policy. Some of these opportunities involve applying militarized powers in new arenas, causing mission creep. As political entrepreneurs seize these opportunities, they create new opportunities in turn. This results in a dynamic process of militarization and government growth over time.