Border security is the most pressing issue regarding homeland security. America shares over 7000 miles of borders with Mexico and Canada through land, rivers, lakes and coastal waters (Meissner & Pierce, 2019). Currently, a majority of threats identified by homeland security are associated with a cause or effect beyond American borders. Evidence suggests that homeland security has managed to reduce the entrance of illegal persons from 1.8 million to 200000 (Alden, 2018). Despite reduced rates, the United States still faces complex threats through the few entities that breach borders.
Border security is not necessarily about adding more laws to control illegal movement, but ensuring security through an effective appropriations process and faithful application of existing laws. DHS should focus on establishing border patrol stations and ICE facilities that can accommodate families and children seeking asylum (Meissner & Pierce, 2019). The government must increase funding to improve the capacity and infrastructure at points of entry.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The course has helped in understanding the role of DHS in border security. DHS has the primary function of protecting domestic security within American borders (Alden, 2018). However, to understand the threats that may affect the country within its borders, it is crucial to develop efforts that extend beyond American borders and into the international community. Understanding current threats involving cyber attacks, terrorism, smuggling and human trafficking requires that DHS shares information with security officers abroad (Alden, 2018).
The course reinforced the concept of intelligence collection. Homeland security continuously collaborates with international agencies and adjusts their own principles based on data they collect from the international community (Givens et al., 2018). To achieve domestic objectives, DHS understands how multilateral organizations are dealing with security concerns and any threats they have identified (Givens et al., 2018). Global security alliances are essential for the success of the homeland security department in America.
The apprehensions and mismanagement of foreign policies in the DHS was an important thing learnt through the course. In 2019, DHS made nearly 1 million apprehensions at the border (Meissner & Pierce, 2019). The figures tripled over apprehensions made in 2016 and 2017. Vulnerabilities at the border are becoming a humanitarian crisis that the government mismanages on an annual basis. Families and children are treated without dignity and separated for days. Better border processing policies are vital to solve security concerns.
References
Alden, E. (2018). Is Border Enforcement Effective? What We Know and What it Means. Journal on Migration and Human Security , 5(2), 481-490 . https://doi.org/10.1177/233150241700500213
Givens, A., Busch, N., & Bersin, A. (2018). Going Global: The International Dimensions of U.S. Homeland Security Policy. Journal of Strategic Security , 11(3), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.11.3.1689
Meissner, D., & Pierce, S. (2019, January). A Wall Cannot Fix Problems at Border; Smart Solutions for Asylum Crisis Can . Migration Policy Institute, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/wall-cannot-fix-problems-border-smart-solutions-asylum-crisis-can
