Fundamental Obligation of Homeland Security - Essay Example

? Policy analysis Introduction America is fighting against enemies with the intent of attacking the American nation whilst destroying people’s way of live. American people are at risk from natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, natural infectious diseases, and other fabricated incidences (Forest, 2006, p.120). The American strategy for Homeland Security realises that as they face and act on evolving terrorist threats and attacks, they should also address the catastrophic events. These events include natural and fabricated disasters, which affect the American Homeland security. The most fundamental obligation of Homeland Security is to secure and protect the American people. It is the duty and policy of Homeland Security to guide the nation as they commit themselves to achieve a more protected Homeland, which can sustain the people’s way of life. George Bush outlined the range of homeland security threat based on the opening recommendations of National Strategy for Homeland Security. The document provided a good example of how to create public policy (Forest, 2006, p.132). The executive branch of government had to inspect and identify the weaknesses and strengths of Homeland Security. The strengths and weaknesses were identified based on prevention, recovery, protection, deterrence and response. After the identification, the formulated policies intensified the emerging problems leading to the creation of the strategy. The influences of such articles are crucial and should be guarded. It is a statement of purpose without the force of law. The strategy of Homeland Security points out to congress to put on more efforts to work together with homeland security. The congress should not depend on Homeland Security; instead, it should take steps to deliver its responsibilities with respect to protection of the American people and the Homeland. The statement has salient points and the powers required in turning policy into law. It also acts as a reminder on how the president’s powers are delivered to the zenith as they are channelled to legislative and executive branches at the same time. It is extremely valuable to look in detail the roles of the three branches of government in addressing homeland security threats like illegal immigration, street gangs, terrorism, gun ownership, and sale of illegal drugs. Global war on terrorism has triggered the acts relating to how the enemy combatants are treated by use of military operations, conducting local intelligence, and military tribunals. The congress passed a resolution as a response to the 9/11 attacks and the continued threat and attacks posed by terrorists (Forest, 2006, p.140). The resolution gave the president powers to apply and emphasize his powers as commander in chief. The president authorizes the use of the necessary force against organizations, persons who planned, committed, and aided the attacks, which occurred in 2001. In addition, under the law, the congress authorises and gives its formal and constitutional powers. In this regard, the United States Army plays the role of defending the national security. This is against continuing threats posed by Iraq and other relevant council resolutions. The president played a role in establishing Iraq’s support of national terrorism. The United States has a long history and valued tradition of welcoming visitors without restrictions. The attacks of 2001 made United States be more cautious because they realise that some visitors come to the United States to raise funds for terrorist activities, and commit terrorist acts. It is the responsibility of United States to prevent foreigners with the intent of committing the terrorist attacks. In addition, they should deport, detain, and prosecute other aliens with the same intentions but are residing in the country. After 9/11, the attention of United States enforcement and administration of immigration policy increased (Forest, 2006, 148). The legislation regarding enforcement and administration of immigration law is found in Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Border security is a critical concern of immigration, thus border crossing is not illegal threat to Homeland Security. However, entrants should possess work permit, and visa or even. The aliens who are residing in the country entered legally, but they had harmful intentions. Homeland security also has a responsibility of prohibiting drug trafficking. Richard Nixon initiated war on drugs in 1971 with the intention of wiping out all non-medical use of prohibited drugs. The fight against drugs continues today by investigating narcotic crimes at the federal level. The government relies mostly on State and local commitment even after agencies make federal drug law enforcement. The street gangs are increasing and spreading, crossing state and city leading to an increase in violent activities. Gangs kill innocent people, cripple families and destroy neighbourhoods (Forest, 2006, 170). Due to increase in size and complexity of gangs, there should be federal to bring and enforce federal law. The role of local police and state prosecutors should be preserved. The gangs pose a serious national threat leading to a call for a serious national response. A bill was passed to define street gang as informal, formal, organization, and association of five and above persons where one of them has committed at least one crime. In addition, a gang establishes offences like robbery, extortion, murder and kidnapping. The militia should be well regulated to guarantee the freedom and security of citizens. There has been a considerable debate on the individuals possessing and controlling guns and others firearms (Forest, 2006, p.128). This was agitated to control the safety of individual citizens because some individuals who possess guns have other intentions to attack and not self-defence. Gun control has significant impacts on society. There is the advancement in weaponry regulation by creating laws to determine the circumstances where one can be in a possession of a gun. All people are treated equally such that no one is denied to possess a gun while another with the same status is granted permission to use the gun. Conclusion After the 9/11, attacks it created an alert where laws were enacted to prevent, detect and even detain the attackers. This led to the formation of a strategy on how to run and protect the homeland through the formation of Homeland Security. When the rules of immigration are not tight, it will allow movement of people in and out of the country (Forest, 2006, p.240). This will give terrorist room to smuggle in explosives easily posing some threats to the country. In addition, there is easy movement when beefing up security and other tasks due to improved and critical infrastructure. There were problems on how to conduct homeland security because the persons who were organizing the department were not having any experience. Homeland security was not only to protect American people, but also other countries should affect the legal actions and policies. Reference Forest, J., F., F., (2006). Homeland Security, Volume 1. United States: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006 Read More