Benefits of Securing a Border - Research Paper Example

Outline i. Introduction ii. Contemporary approach on Border security. iii. Constitutional amendment on the US Border security iv. Border security measures and status in the United States v. New developments in Border Security vi. Conclusion Introduction Nations across the world have always asked this important question “Do we need more border security?” The obvious answer is yes. Specifically, we need more efficient and cost-effective measures that identify those who seek to do us harm and keep them out or apprehend them. This can only be achieved by defining a secure border, creating a secure border system and adopting measures to determine success. A secure border is that which is able to block those who pose a threat or attempt illegal entry, of-entry or immigration-benefit processing. It is important to verify visitors’ identities and ensure they abide by the terms of their entry. The matter should never be politicized considering the fact that most immigrant practices if not all have seriously led to a number nation’s economic crisis, criminal activities are in the rise among other social vices (Alcock,et al.41). Therefore, border security should not be seen as an act of racism, but an act toward the country’s socio-economic and political stability. Contemporary approach on Border security Border security has become one of the most contentious aspects in many countries across the globe. A good case study is that of the United States that has benefited tremendously in her Border Patrols. Border patrol in U.S traces its history way back as early as 1904, when mounted watchmen of the U.S. Immigration Service patrolled the border in effort to prevent illegal crossing; however, their efforts were irregular and undertaken only when resources permitted. In the early years of twentieth century, customs violations and intercepting communications to “the enemy” seemed to be of a greater concern than enforcing immigration regulations. Agencies charged with the responsibilities of inspecting people and goods entering and leaving noticed that their efforts were totally ineffective without border enforcement between inspection stations (Gallagher and Cameron 53). A higher head tax and literacy requirement imposed in 1917 for entry prompted more people to try to enter illegally. Constitutional amendment on the US Border security A number of amendments were done to the constitution in line with securing the nation’s border, however, the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the importation, transport, manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages had greater effects. With the passage of this constitutional amendment and the numerical limits placed on immigration to the United States by the Immigration Acts of 1921adn 1924 respectively, the border enforcement was able to receive renewed attention from the government. Maldwyn Jones, author of American Immigration, notes that: “it was American policy which brought to an end the century-long mass movement from Europe. The adoption of quota system… all but slammed the door on the southern and eastern Europeans who had formed the bulk of the arrivals in the prewar and immediate postwar periods. The result was that European immigration slumped over 800,000 in 1921 to less than 150,000 by the end of the decade”. These restrictions resulted in people from around the world to try illegal entry if attempts to enter legally failed. This is when the mission of the Border Patrol becomes more important to the U.S. Government. The legislation was in many respects the model for our existing immigration system, with its numerical limitations on immigration from individual countries, numerical limitations for certain categories of immigrants, use of preference groups within these categories, consular control over permission to immigrate, and the creation of the Border Patrol (Forest 81). From an open border viewpoint, it was a disaster, ending a long period of generally open immigration from Europe. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; homeland security became a primary concern of the nation. Border security became a topic of increased interest. Funding requests and enforcement proposals were considered as lawmakers began to reassessing how nation’s security border must be monitored and protected. On March 1, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security was established, and the U.S. Border Patrol became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2006, Congress authorized the Secure Fence Act- a multi-billion dollar plan to build hundreds of miles of fencing along the southern border of the U.S. The plan was billed as a way to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants to provide security from potential terrorism. Border security measures and status in the United States Under the regime of president Obama, the resources that the Department of Homeland Security dedicates to security at the Southwest border are at an all-time high. Since 2008, ground surveillance systems have more than doubled; there are 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents along the Southwest border, unmanned aircraft surveillance systems as well as border fencing. As a matter of fact, this effort is yielding tremendous results. Way back from 1990 to 2007, the population of undocumented individuals in the United States grew from 3.5 million to 11 million people. Since then, the size of undocumented population has stopped growing for the first time in decades (Shantz 59). Border apprehensions- a key indicator of border security-are at their lowest level since 1970s. The President’s immigration improvement proposal gives law enforcement the tools they need to make our communities safer from crime. And by enhancing our infrastructure and technology, this proposal continues to strengthen our ability to remove criminals and stop threats to our national security. New developments in Border Security Economists, American workers and business leaders have agreed in unison that they must take the advantage of border security and immigration systems. At stake is a stronger, more dynamic, and faster growing economy that will foster job creation, higher productivity and wages, and entrepreneurship; therefore, they have encouraged the U.S. Border Patrol to continue with its efforts to control our nation’s borders. The 21st century promises to provide enormous leaps in technology that can be applied to border enforcement (Forest 81). The modernization of the Patrol advances at a dizzying rate as new generations of agents develop innovative ways to integrate the contemporary technology into field operations. New and specialized technology is being created within the Border Patrol that holds increasing potential to assist agents in fulfilling the assignment of the Patrol. Moreover, cooperation with neighboring countries increases border safety and law enforcement hard work. Conclusion It is worth to conclude that the future of U.S. Border Patrol promises to be as exciting and interesting as its past, and will continue to echo the motto that agents have lived by ever since 1924. Work Cited Alcock, Peter, Margaret May, and Sharon D. Wright. The Student's Companion to Social Policy. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. Print. Gallagher, Charles A, and Cameron D. Lippard. Race and Racism in the United States: An Encyclopedia of the American Mosaic. , 2014. Print. The Border Force: Securing the Border : Thirty-First Report of Session 2013-14 : Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence. London: Stationery Office, 2013. Print. Forest, James J. F. Homeland Security: Protecting America's Targets. Westport, Conn: Praeger Security International, 2006. Internet resource. Shantz, Jeff. Racism and Borders: Representation, Repression, Resistance. New York: Algora Publishing, 2010. Print. Read More