The impact of Homeland Security on our daily lives in America - Term Paper Example

The wide set of measures incorporated into homeland security for enhancing the economic sustainability and safety of the communities in America would have an impact on the way the communities continued their existence (Bullock, Haddow & Coppola, 2012). Responsibilities as envisaged in homeland security lay dispersed among a hundred different government agencies, reducing the speed and flexibility required for an efficient homeland security. Therefore, it was felt that it would be better to create the umbrella Department of Homeland Security to overcome the patchwork of government activities through the tens of government agencies.

Thus, the Department of Homeland Security was formed armed with policies, regulation, and programs to provide homeland security (President Bush, 2002). Impact of Homeland Security The people of America have for long enjoyed a legal tradition that upheld individual civil liberties and resisted any infringement of the state on the civil liberties of its citizens. The measures provided to the Department of Homeland Security in the form of more intrusive surveillance, increased policing powers, reduction in the restrictions on search and seizure, easier wiretapping, and intrusion of privacy run against the grain of civil liberties.

It was only after the fear of the September 11, 2001 attack had diminished did the realization dawn that one of the key areas that the impact of homeland security was being felt lay in the domain of civil liberties (Miller, 2003). The courts have for over a long period of time recognized the President of the United States as the constitutional authority to uphold and protect national security. Such an authority carries with it wide discretionary powers. Since homeland security has been created by the President to uphold and protect national security, the courts would be reluctant to infringe on the provisions of homeland security, as it would run against the grain of the recognition granted to the President as the constitutional authority for upholding and protecting national security (Nicholson, 2005).

Intrusion and invasion are key words in the procedures and regulations of homeland security that are being experienced by the citizens of America. As a consequence of homeland security the airport security has been tightened. Full body scanners greet passengers at airports. In case that is not sufficient invasive-pat downs are a feature at the various airports around the country. The Secretary of homeland security has not only justified these enhanced security measures at airports, but also maintains that no changes need be expected anywhere in the near future (Airlliner Security, 2010).

Expanded surveillance is a part of the initiatives under homeland security. This expanded security has led to the use of closed circuit televisions (CCTV) in public places, public transportations, and immigration offices. Easier access to individual records is another feature, whereby the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) can seek and receive any personal records of any individual. This provides powers for accessing the financial records, medical histories, Internet usage, travel patterns, and any other records.

Such information was formerly considered private information, but homeland security has removed the privacy element of these records. More intrusive is the expansion provided in the wiretap law. Even if an individual is not engaged in