Border Security Policy

Border Security Policy

With the current terrorist threats that the US faces, US borders’ security should remain a function of homeland security. They have been incredibly effective in protecting the country from the entry of terrorists.  Homeland security has protected the borders from terrorists by conducting detailed screening that has identified and stopped suspected terrorists from entering the country. They also conducted crackdowns of illegal immigration, thus, limiting the chances of suspected terrorists entering the country illegally (Bellavita, 2011). Homeland security also protects the country’s critical infrastructure, which, are most susceptible to terrorism. They have entered into agreements with Mexico and Canada, which borders the US, and shared wanted lists of suspected terrorists (Pelfrey, W., & Kelley, 2013).  Homeland security managed to protect the country from terrorist attacks in 2009 and 2010 from Umar Farouk and Faisal Shahazad, directed by the Al-Qaeda and Taliban, respectively (CNN Editorial Research, 2020).  However, they did not stop the recent terrorist attack in 2019 when a Saudi pilot, Mohammed Alshamrani, ended three sailors’ lives. Intelligence showed the attack was directed by Al-Qaeda militants (CNN Editorial Research, 2020).  Overall, Homeland security has protected the US borders effectively, and US citizens have domestically perpetrated much of the terrorist attacks since 9/11. Contrary, Homeland Defense is primarily the military side of national security.  Homeland Defense focuses on providing warnings on impending attacks, armed conflicts, and alerting the armed forces.  In case terrorist attacks targeted to the US were in the form of wars, then-Homeland Defense would have been effective in protecting the country’s borders. However, since individual bombers or shooters perpetrate most attacks, Homeland Security is sufficient to keep the country safe. Even though the country’s war against ISIS makes it susceptible to terrorist attacks, Homeland Security works effectively with the US’ intelligence to ensure that the borders are safe from infiltration both legally and illegally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Bellavita, C. (2011). Changing Homeland Security: In 2010, Was Homeland Security Useful?. Naval Postgraduate School Monterey Ca Center for Homeland Defense And Security.

CNN Editorial Research. (2020, May 25). US terrorist attacks fast facts. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/18/us/u-s-terrorist-attacks-fast-facts/index.html

Pelfrey, W., & Kelley, W. (2013). Homeland security education: A way forward. Homeland Security Affairs, 9(1), 1-13.