The U.S. national security apparatus was heavily challenged by the terror attack on September 11, 2001. It led to the greatest reorganization of U.S. homeland security since World War II. Vulnerabilities had been identified calling for immediate attention to secure the borders, and the U.S. population. Leaking security information is often associated with rising cases of terror attacks. According to Lambert (2019) sharing of homeland security information emerged as one of the crucial aspects of homeland security in the 21 st century. Created in the aftermath of 9/11 terror attack, the Department of Homeland Security ensures security of the United States from terrorist attacks and other threats.
U.S. in 9/11 Aftermath
The leading mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is securing citizens from terror attacks. Other missions include disaster prevention and management, border security, immigration and cyber threats. Domestic terrorism has been on the rise in the country in the last three decades. While launching the department, former president George Bush emphasized the need to restructure security to align its operations with emerging challenges. Interior security was fragmented before the DHS was formed. By bringing a number of agencies under one order, security was enhanced making it easier identifying security threats and neutralizing them.
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Immigration and Border Security
Immigration and border security are among the most controversial issues in U.S. politics. According to Alden (2017), the debate over border security and enforcement has been split between a group that proposes use of force and those advocating use of legal measures to curb the challenge. United States experiences an influx of immigrants from neighboring Mexico. President Donald Trump proposed the ambitious plan to build a wall to secure the country. The controversial project is being debated and its benefits are yet to be reviewed. Border security is an expensive endeavor that the country has engaged to achieve. Bach (2005) argued that the issue of border security became important in the 9/11 aftermath. With the porous borders, the country’s security department could not assure citizens of their security. Furthermore, the tension created in post-9/11 attack was not good for the country.
Immigration dates back to the 18 th century when United States acquired its independence. American history. Hirschman (2014) argued that almost thirteen per cent of the American population is foreign-born. Including the children of the foreign-born parents, about one in every four citizens can be included in the immigrant population (Hirschman, 2014). Immigration is a delicate issue that political leaders often prefer ignoring rather than facing to offer solutions. The main controversy lies on establishing whether immigration is beneficial to the country or not. On one side, proponents of immigration argue that the immigrant population provides labor and pays taxes, hence participating to positive economic growth. Opponents argue that the immigrant population takes opportunities meant for U.S. citizens. However, an objective approach has been proposed to ensure that the huge section of unregistered immigrant population is registered. After registering, the government will have a clear picture when allocating resources since it relies there lacks accurate data to inform resource allocation at the moment. The wall being built is meant to stop the influx of foreigners forcing their entry into the United States.
Domestic Terrorism
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) increased counterintelligence and counterterrorism measures in post-9/11 attack. According to Watson (2002) the terror attack in 2001 was the culmination of a rising domestic terrorism threat that started in 1980s. Despite efforts to curb domestic terrorism, it remains a major challenge in the country. According to Watson (2002) domestic right-wing terrorists often subscribe to antipatriotic and antigovernment ideologies that guide them when committing terror related crimes. United States has suffered several terror attacks in the recent years. Right-wing extremism is the major challenge the DES is facing at the moment. Issues like racism need to be addressed. Groups like Ku Klux Klan are mentioned in the history of extremism in the country. Domestic terrorism is often called lone wolf terrorism. Attackers target highly populated areas like clubs, schools and theaters. Considering the contentious gun laws in the U.S., it may be hard stopping domestic terrorism in the country. The FBI and other related agencies are struggling to counter the attacks.
Solutions for Homeland Security
DHS has been partnering with agencies and organizations in the country to stop extremism that is associated with domestic terrorism. According to DHS (2017) DHS employs over two hundred and forty professionals spread across the department’s units. DHS (2017) argued that its office for community partnerships (OCP) confronts domestic terrorism and violence by identifying interested organizations and creating working relationships. DHS has improved its counterterrorism and intelligence activities. Cyber security is among the leading issues that DHS is addressing. Furthermore, Nationwide Suspicious Activity (SAR) has been enhanced. SAR liaises with organizations and agencies like the police force to get information about suspicious activity. DHS’s information networks have been enhanced in the last two decades. Enhancement has been done by hiring professional workforce and allocating more resources to the department.
Conclusion
Homeland security remains a project in progress in the United States. Since the restructuring of security and emergence of the department after the-9/11 attack, DHS has used a muddle-through approach to offer solutions to U.S. security. The issue of border security and domestic terrorism still needs immediate solutions. President Donald Trump’s strategy to build a wall to stop illegal immigration may offer solution. However, skepticism is still high on the wall’s ability to stop illegal immigration. Domestic terrorism is a complicated issue. With other factors like gun-laws, racism and right-extremism considered, DHS should be more proactive to provide real-time solutions to the challenge.
References
Alden E. (2017). Is border enforcement effective? What we know and what it means. Journal onMigration and Human Security . 5 (2), 481-490. https://doi.org/10.1177/233150241700500213
DHS. (2017). Did you know? Four ways DHS is working to prevent terrorism at home. https://www.dhs.gov/blog/2017/08/16/did-you-know-four-ways-dhs-working-prevent-terrorism-home
Lambert, D. E. (2019). Addressing challenges to homeland security information sharing in American policing: Using Kotter’s leading change model. Criminal Justice Policy Review . 30 (8), 1250-1278. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403418786555
Hirschman C. (2014). Immigration to the United States: Recent trends and future prospects. Malaysian journal of economic studies: Journal of the Malaysian Economic Association and the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya , 51 (1), 69–85.
Watson, D. L. (2002). Testimony. https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/testimony/the-terrorist-threat-confronting-the-united-states Accessed Sep. 15, 2020.
