Border security plays a critical function in protecting millions of Americans from harm. In particular, since the 9/11 terrorist attack, the concerns on maintaining uptight security gained momentum. However, with globalization, the ease of trade through the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has also ensured that migration from Mexico to the U.S. is possible through a large volume of trucks transporting goods and immigrants. As such, the elements of trade coupled up with immigration and border security present broad dynamics and complexity to secure borders. Nonetheless, through biometric screening, training, and immigration policy changes, better border control is ensured.
The role of border and transportation security in homeland security
The border and transportation security in homeland security play the role of protecting the borders from external harm. This includes weaponry, contrabands and illegal immigrants that can lead to terrorist attacks. Through reliance on intelligence information and documentations are analyzed, to learn more about identities as presented in the documents. The agency ensures that documentations of people indicate in totality that they are legally entering the U.S., and those who are not legitimate are prevented from entering through screen one, which protects the citizens. According to Robinson et al. (2005), various intermediaries follow processes up to 40 documentations where interdiction can occur for those who want to enter the country from zone to zone. Still, through screens that move through circles, images of people and vehicles are captured and where illegal goods and immigrants are held in custody.
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Also, internally, they ensure that the population and property are protected from terrorism inside the U.S guaranteeing that there is emergency response in case of an attack. If the terrorists were to get past the borders, the result could be catastrophic and tedious to the other intelligence agencies such as the federal bureau of intelligence in tracking down movements. They rely on intelligent information that ensures interception is significant and drugs are captured. There is also coordination between the bureau of customs, Boarder protection, Border patrol, and coast guard. For instance, as the patrol takes charge on land, the coast guard enforces laws at seas for those who might use the route to transport weapons and drugs. Nonetheless, in case attack happens, they minimize loss and injuries to the population. In so doing, they protect civilians and property's massive destruction and death.
Complex challenges of border security
However, border control is a complicated matter faced by the challenge of competing economic and security priorities. Indeed, borders invoke large-scale land coverage and movement of people and trucks across for trade, which should be less bureaucratic for more straightforward trade. Indeed, Robinson et al. (2005) outline nearly 7,500 miles and 2.5 million and 9 million containers of cargo annually. As a result, these activities provide billions of dollars in revenue essential to economic growth. With the flow of desirable goods, the United States benefits through NAFTA, leading to GDP growth and job creation through truck drivers and broader officers. On the other hand, borders are responsible for counterfeits, drugs that threaten national security, and healthy consumer consumption. As Manjarrez (2015) suggests, 90% of drug seizures occur within the borders and are attributed to increased drug use in the south Texas border. Therefore, without control, the border is susceptible to exploitation while at the same time, too much control is costly and bureaucratic to ease of trade.
Also, the rationality of immigration and security measures is complex and controversial. Legitimate travel is at the heart of the U.S. economy. Also, immigration is an emotional one touching the lives of immigrant children who migrated at a younger age and the conflicting viewpoints of lawmakers and Americans on the scope of immigration laws. There is a universal notion that people who migrated need better lives and jobs to make life easier for their families. Contrary, Borges et al. (2018) argue that border apprehension is directly linked to safer cities, which is the case for Sandiego and El Paso, which experienced a high crime rate in 2014 with over 29,911 arrests. When it becomes a case of humanity and security, the public and some legislators find it difficult to get behind additional security measures or back up finding that would enable the process.
Layered approach to border and transportation security
The layered border security approach is a security initiative aimed at providing overlapping measures at key entry points in the border. The system was introduced after 9/11 as part of the commission report issued in 2004. Robinson et al. (2005) highlight that. The system is interconnected to provide comprehensive screening of passengers and "layered" defense. Additionally, the critical points of vulnerability are identified for the passage of people, goods, and vehicles for ease of interception. Their combinations are limited to minimize any interruption of the movement of goods for trade through their close interconnection of the layers. According to Giermanski (2010) requirement of carriers to submit their cargo declaration 24 hours earlier has proven to be effective in the flow of voyage and minimal inconveniences through security checks. Additionally, through the layered approach, higher security levels are ensured, illegal movement across the border minimized and vulnerability to terrorism reduced since there is an adequate flow of intelligence and interconnected systems.
Future policy considerations for border and transportation security in post-911 America
For mitigation of immigration irregularities, there should be the incorporation of an effective biometric screening system. Screening ensures that people are who they are and prevents maliciousness in the inspection points. For both the staff and the passengers, screening helps to detect any unwanted objects such as drugs and guns easily transported. Also, within all management levels, the personnel in supply and shipping presents some form of vulnerabilities when they do not perform their jobs based on integrity. Still, screening passengers ensure that terrorist can be detected if they plant to steal personnel identities to access the security codes and databases.
Moreover, the personnel should undergo training for familiarization of policies and identification of fraudulent documents. Terrorists can pose as anyone, including students and workers, through stolen visas. As such, the inspections must consider the mass movements where the focus shift can be catastrophic. As Robinson et al. (2005) outline, 15 out of the 19 hijackers are vulnerable to interception. Through reliance on intelligent facts, the officers can easily detect mischievous documents linked to terrorism.
Finally, the immigration law and enforcement should be based on secure identification of documents for ease of identifying vulnerabilities. Fraudulent documents expose the security system to terrorism. Therefore, screening other than relying on visual analysis of documents while on patrol can help mitigate illegal migrants. Nonetheless, the screening should be done in a manner that promotes justice and protects all persons' dignity, regardless of whether they are migrants or not.
Conclusively, improving border control security was immensely inspired by the September 11 events leading to control of entry points. Additionally, it called for a comprehensive immigration policy that protects the lives of Americans from attracts. Through border and transportation security under homeland security, the borders are secured, and adversities such as illegals drugs, terrorism, contrabands, and illegal immigration are minimized. With a system such as the layered approach incorporated, the security systems are monitored. Despite the complexity of boarder security issue, future adaptation of biometric screening, personal training, and reforms in the immigration policy will go a long way in border control.
References
Borges, G., Zemore, S. E., Orozco, R., Cherpitel, C. J., Martínez, P., & Wallisch, L. (2018). Uso de drogas en ambos lados de la frontera Estados Unidos-México. Salud Pública de México , 60 (4), 451-461.
Giermanski. J. (2010). Future policy considerations for border and transportation security in post-911 America.
Manjarrez, V. M. (2015). Border security: Defining it is the real challenge. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management , 12 (4), 793-800 .
Robinson, H.W., Lake, E, J., Seghetti. M. L. (2005). CRS Report for Congress. Domestic Social Policy Division. Border and Transportation Security: Possible New Directions and Policy Options.
