What is border security? The United States Customs and Border Protection define border security as a “top priority is to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the U.S. while welcoming all legitimate travelers and commerce. CBP officers and agents enforce all applicable U.S. laws, including against illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling and illegal importation. Therefore, in order for the United States to be successful in securing the nation’s border, there is an essential need for border security. This has not been an easy challenge but it is something that has to be done otherwise imagine how great a disaster our nation would be. For over 86 years, the United States' approach to securing its border with Mexico has seen many changes and improvements, all of which have contributed positively to the prevention of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and potential terrorism. One of the major issues surrounding border security is illegal immigration, “For the past two decades the United States, a country with a strong tradition of limited government, has been pursuing a widely popular initiative that requires one of the most ambitious expansions of government power in modern history: securing the nation’s borders against illegal immigration” (Alden, 2012). Many people are trying to enter the United States without the proper documentation and everyday they risk their lives and others just to make it across these borders. To avoid this law enforcement and other border security has threatened these illegal immigrants with detainment and arrest and different forms of punishment. In the efforts to deter the problem, it has been far beyond feasible because they still manage to get across and it does not change their intention... ... middle of paper ... ... U.S. counties bordering Mexico live at or below the poverty line. Along with unemployment rates, this is a significant problem for border security and the threat that it poses on our borders. Each day there are efforts to enforce and strengthen our borders from illegal immigrants, drugs and terrorism. Over the years, there have been major changes in the way we secure our borders. Some strategies were more effective but as the fight continues, the strategies will advance and will tighten the rope on holding back those things that pollute and destroy our nation’s border. This strategic plan is sure to be effective in addition to having more border patrol agents, new fencing around the border and with all of the advanced technology we have today and with the help of the Mexican border patrol each day it creates a safer and efficient border for the U.S. and Mexico.
The United States-Mexico border represents a microcosm, a cross section of humanity's downtrodden being met with beuracratic, neo-liberal policies and an utter indifference to life itself. A modern version of David vs Goliath plays out along these lines day after day and while the border may seem well-defined, the laws, regulations, and enforcement patterns surrounding it are amorphous at best and murderous at worst. De León heavily takes into account how the environment plays a key role in not only the mortality rate of migrants but also how it becomes a breeding ground of extrajudicial activity. He mentions "The isolation of the desert combined with the public perception of the border as a zone ruled by chaos allows the state to justify using extraordinary measures to control and exclude “uncivilized” noncitizens" (2). There is a concerted effort by border officials to
Therefore, instead of focusing on increased border security, deportation, and the hunting down of illegals, wasted recourses could go to other ways for possible solutions to this problem. Still, the perhaps millions of dollars spent on all of these activities could be redirected in a more positive manner. Nevertheless, these funds could be used to help Mexico’s, economy, job opportunities, and health care. Furthermore, if more support was given in these areas there would be less reason for immigrants to cross the boarder illegally. Another possible solution would be to implement or change a policy regarding immigration and make it and overall easier process. Moreover, it is hard to say what those would do if they were in these immigrants situations. Often, we are too stuck in one view point, not looking from the perception of
The article by Rob Guerette is a case study involving the widely-reported increase of immigration into the United States. It tackles migration issues as well as related issues such as border security , security initiatives by individuals.. The article also provides in-depth research about the impact of illegal immigration into the United States including migrant deaths, deaths of non-migrants at the border, border security and the challenges faced by United States border patrol officers. The main purpose of the article was to provide an explanation as to whether the Border Patrol has any effect in saving the lives of people attempting to enter into the United States (Guerette, 2007).
A nation without borders is not a nation. Today, every country is making effort to secure its borders not only from terrorists, drugs and smuggling but also from illegal immigration. All these recurring activities have sparked the United States to secure its borders against illegal immigrants and terrorism by creating a special department named the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headed by the Secretary of Homeland Security. After the terrorist attack of 9/11, terrorism and illegal immigration were two striking issues for the DHS. To solve these issues, the Department of Homeland Security further created two immigration enforcement agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Customs and
In 2006, “President George Bush passed the Secure Fence Act where every mile of Yuma’s border with Mexico contained a fence or vehicle barrier” (Jeunesse, 2015). While this had a positive impact for Yuma with reducing the amount of illegal immigrant crossing and smuggling. Many challenges for the Hispanic arose as well. Not only is it the hours of waiting to cross the border and death of those that try to jump the fence that don’t make it but, the impact this has made on the separation of families and society in the united states. Now it is harder for immigrants to get transported to get over the border but to get a job itself in the United states. Those that are legal citizens in Yuma county there are several cases of separation of families that still live in Mexico because they are considered illegal immigrants. Traveling to one another has been a lot more complicated than it was years ago. Many will feel isolated from the other cultures of the world because of the
United States Border Patrol has been around since 1904 enforcing and regulating laws under the immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. border patrol is now under the Department of Homeland Security, which was created as a response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Over the years, their jurisdiction and missions have changed to better protect the safety of nation. Although border patrol is a need for any nation, their extensive acceptations to constitutional laws can often be taken advantage of. The mission of the U.S. border patrol should be to prevent illegal aliens, which are a threat to American society, from reaching their purpose. Frequently, their purpose can be confused or executed in a bias manner.
the entire U.S. The Border Patrol is a multi-task law enforcement body that has served Del Rio since July, 1, 1924” (Border Security along Borders, web). The flow of illegal aliens across the Rio Grande River provides a challenge to the Border Patrol agents assigned to the area. The absence of man-made barricades to control the points of entry gives illegal aliens and smugglers of aliens and narcotics the passage of crossing virtually any place along the 210 miles of border with Mexico.
Being a U.S. citizen thirty-nine years old or younger with a valid driver’s license, no prior criminal convictions, minimum vision and hearing functionality, and the ability to perform strenuous physical activity—these are just a few of the qualifications that border patrol officers must possess as those responsible for guarding the border—the imaginary line that separates the United States from the neighboring countries (“Overview). The mission statement of this federal agency is “to detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States” and yet to this day the inflow of illegal immigrants at the south western border continues to pose a problem, one that these officers have not been able to contain (“Overview”). Thousands of
In the words of Ronald Regan “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” Many feel that illegal immigration is a growing concern for our nation, and securing our borders is most so that we can protect our homeland and preserving our freedom. They say these Illegals take jobs and deny opportunities for American citizens who have made worked hard to gain citizenship in a legal way.
Since the 1990s, the strategy of the Border Patrol has been termed “prevention by deterrence” and h...
Vaughan, Jessica M. “Aliens Who Overstay Their Visas Are a Serious Security Threat.” Opposing Viewpoints: Immigration. Eds. David M. Haugen, Susan Musser and Kacy Lovelace. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 182-193. Print.
Over the years it seems as though our country has become more populated and unsafe from the illegal immigrants and smuggled goods, such as drugs and weapons, which make it into the United States. Although there are many illegal immigrants and contraband that are able to make it into the U.S undetected, there are a significant amount of people and contraband that are caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The CBP is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was formed in 2003. “It is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S” (CBP). One of the departments of the CBP is border security, which is a team of individuals that work together to protect our country from “illegal immigrants, narcotics smuggling, and illegal importation” (CBP). Border patrol was established in 1924 and has changed dramatically over the decades. The one aspect that has not changed is “the overall mission to detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the U.S” (CBP). The border patrol is responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters. According to CBP, “In 2013 420,789 nationwide illegal aliens were apprehended and 2.9 million pounds of drugs were seized.” As one could tell, there is a significant amount of illegal immigrants and smuggled goods coming into the U.S. However, the number of illegal immigrants that have been seized is lower than it has been in the past, but I still believe that having a strong border security is necessary in continuing to keep immigrants from trying to come into the U.S illegally and transporting illegal goods. “The primary goal of bo...
The Mexican-American border barriers were originally built as part of a three-pronged approach to diminish illicit contraband, drug smuggling, and illegal immigrants. This operation would curtail drug transport routes from Central America. Three headquarters were established along the Unites States border: operation gatekeeper in California, Operation Hold-the-Line in Texas, and Operation Safeguard in Arizona. These strategically placed headquarters have done an outstanding job securing our borders the past decade, however with drug smuggling on the rise, they require much more support from the government. Regrettably, adversaries of the barriers claim that they are more of a political gambit to instigate foreign affairs and a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. These opponents see the United States-Mexico barrier as an unsuccessful deterrent to illegal immigrants and unwanted drugs that ultimately and inaptly endangers the security and wellbeing of immigrants seeking refuge in the States.
The Department of Homeland Security works tirelessly to safeguard our borders through the deployment of technology, personnel, and infrastructure. They also work closely with our neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada. Also, they work with local, state, federal and territorial agencies inside the United States. There are many different types of agents that watch the US borders including Air and Marine agents, agriculture specialists, CBP Border Patrol agents and officers. These agents do their best to safeguard our borders and prevent weapons and terrorists from entering our country and doing great harm to the citizens of the United States of America. Stopping these terrorists and weapons are not the only job they do. Also, they apprehend criminals, seize contraband, and stop anyone who is trying to enter the country illegally. The Department of Homeland Security is trying its hardest to increase the number of people that they have employed and on the ground to defend our country’s borde...
With the United States borders extending over thousands of miles, the government does not have the ability to completely watch and secure this massive border. Therefore, a large number of illegal immigrants take an advantage of crossing the border undetected. With such large amount of illegal immigrants entering our country, the safety of our citizens is hindered because not just illegal immigrants can cross our border but criminals and terrorists can come across virtually unseen. There is basically no telling the sorts of individuals that enter the nation, killers, drug dealers, or terrorists a majority of these criminals live close to the border. With the government cannot completely control illegal immigration over the border, the security of legal citizens is at risk. All things considered, with the powerlessness to control and completely carry out the laws of immigration, potential criminals will constantly barge into the nation and further jeopardize the U.S. lives.