Border Security and How It Has Grown over the Decades - Research Paper Example

Border security and how it has grown over the decades Border security and how it has grown over the decades One of many concerns raised by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington are the security of U.S. borders. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established border security as a major mission for the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Approximately 11 million illegal aliens live in the United States. About 375,000 people enter the U.S. illegally through gaps in the southern border each year (McNeill, 2009). “On September 10, 2001, the United States was the most open country in the world”(Alden & Schwartz,2008). However, US became a closed country after 9/11. Border security is becoming an important topic for America, especially after the 9/11 incident. Even though America was successful in patrolling its land and coastal boundaries, the loopholes in the security measures of the air boundaries have been revealed for the first time after the 9/11 incident. Terrorists and intruders are devising new methods to intrude into the territories of America. It is difficult for the border security forces to anticipate the movements of intruders because of the new methods opted by them to enter America. Apart from the threats of terrorists, illegal immigration is another major area of concern for the internal security of America. America’s wider border areas with Mexico and Canada are used extensively by antisocial elements to cross the borders. Even though Bush administration strengthened the measures of border patrol, still intruders are entering America with very much ease. Under these circumstances, the importance of border security forces is getting increased day by day. "Border security is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue; its an American issue”(Cooper, 2011). This paper analyses border security, its history and evolution over the years. History and evolution of border security Border security force or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest law enforcement workforce in America. It is securing America’s border areas including land, air and sea borders. “The Border Patrol is the mobile uniformed law enforcement arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was officially established on May 28, 1924 by an act of Congress passed in response to increasing illegal immigration” (Border Patrol Overview, History and Strategy, 2011). During the last 86 years of history, the structure and functioning of American border security forces have undergone many changes even though the core objective remains the same - patrolling the nation from intruders. Even though the official history of border security forces started America in 1924, unofficial patrolling of American territories by small armed groups was started even before 1924. However, such patrolling groups were small in number and lacked any stricture or organized power. Unlike the current patrolling groups, these groups tried to reduce the illegal crossing of American borders from people from Mexico, Coast Arica, China etc. “In March 1915, Congress authorized a separate group of Mounted Guards, often referred to as Mounted Inspectors. Most rode on horseback, but a few operated cars and even boats” (Border Patrol History, 2010). The intrusion from China was the major worrying factor for America during these days and therefore the preliminary duty of these Mounted Guards was to block Chinese intruders. It should be noted that communism was gaining much popularity in Chinese soil during this period and America was trying to block communism from spreading its territories. Americas thought that the intrusion from China could be the most dangerous one because of the above concern. So they formed a separate security group, called Mounted Guards during this period. Apart from Mounted Guards, many state patrolling groups were also in operation during the initial half of the twentieth century. For example, Texas formed a border patrolling force called Texas Rangers to protect the boundaries of Texas from intruders. These border security forces had the authority to inspect any locations or stations in which illegal immigration was taking place. “On May 28, 1924, Congress passed the Labour Appropriation Act of 1924, officially establishing the U.S. Border Patrol for the purpose of securing the borders between inspection stations. In 1925 its duties were expanded to patrol the seacoast” (Border Patrol History, 2010). During the initial periods, the responsibilities of U.S. Border Patrol group were limited to sea and land areas only. It should be noted that intrusion through air was not happening during these periods. “Recruits furnished their own horse and saddle, but Washington supplied oats and hay for the horses and a $1,680 annual salary for the agents” (Border Patrol History, 2010). Uniforms became mandatory for border security forces from 1928 onwards. During the initial periods of formation, Border Patrol lacked any centralized control. It worked based on the instructions from the group leaders and, therefore failed to acquire proper coordination. In other words, vital security related information received to one group never transmitted across the entire groups within the Border Patrol. Therefore, Border Patrol failed to prevent threats from intruders completely. In order to avoid that, two directors (one in charge of Mexican border and the other in charge of the Canadian border) were appointed at the top of Border Patrol in 1932. Smuggling was the major activity performed by illegal immigrants during the initial half of twentieth century. President Franklin D. Roosevelt combined the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Naturalization into the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1933. The first Border Patrol Academy opened as a training school at Camp Chigas, El Paso, in December 1934. Thirty-four trainees attended classes in marksmanship and horsemanship. Although horses remained the transportation of choice for many years, by 1935, the Border Patrol began using motorized vehicles with radios (Border Patrol History, 2010). Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president who took illegal immigration seriously. The formation of Immigration and Naturalization Service helped the authorities to bring all the immigration related activities under one roof. Earlier, immigration activities were controlled by two separate authorities such as the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Naturalization. Roosevelt had realised the importance of increased cooperation among these two departments to counter illegal immigration properly and decided to combine these two bodies into a single body. Moreover Roosevelt was instrumental in elaborating the power and authorities of Border Patrol agents. For the first time in the history of United States, Border Patrol agents got the power to arrest illegal immigrants during Roosevelt era. Border Patrol agents got the power to search anywhere inside United States for illegal immigrants during this period. Arrested illegal immigrants were sent back to their home countries initially; however, lack of funds prevented the authorities from continuing deportation activities through air ways. “Throughout the early 1950s, a special taskforce of 800 Border Patrol agents was assigned by the United States Attorney General to round up and ship home thousands of illegal immigrants in southern California” (Border Patrol History, 2010). The history of modern day border security activities started in the latter half of the twentieth century. For the first time in the history of terrorism, plane hijacking started take place in the 1960s and 70s, which forced the authorities to strengthen the borders with the help of air forces also. President John F Kennedy was instrumental in strengthening air defence mechanisms. Illegal immigration started to increase in America drastically in the 1980s and 90s. The destruction of Soviet Union and the emergence of America as the sole superpower in the world encouraged fortune seekers from all over the world to select America as the destination for immigration. It should be noted that America was the richest country in the world during those periods. People from all over the world calculated that the size of American economy is huge and, therefore no challenges can cause any damage to it. However recent incidents proved beyond doubt that even American economy is breakable if unanticipated events occur. In an effort to bring a level of control to the border, Operation "Hold the Line" was established in 1993 in El Paso, and proved an immediate success. Agents and technology were concentrated in specific areas, providing a "show of force" to potential illegal border crossers. The drastic reduction in apprehensions prompted the Border Patrol to undertake a full-scale effort in San Diego, California, which accounted for more than half of illegal entries. Operation "Gatekeeper" was implemented in 1994, and reduced illegal entries in San Diego by more than 75% over the next few years. A defined national strategic plan was introduced alongside Operation Gatekeeper and set out a plan of action for the Border Patrol into the future (Border Patrol History, 2010). 9/11 incident has opened another chapter in the history of border security in America. It should be noted that the means through which the terrorist struck America were unimaginable to the border security forces until it occurred. At present, America has strengthened its air forces to prevent the strikes through air. Advanced war planes are doing surveillance all the time to prevent the intrusion of terrorists. Moreover, satellite controlled surveillance systems such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are using extensively to monitor the activities of intruders and terrorists. 9/11 helped the border security authorities to get enormous finding for its operations. “On March 1, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established, and the U.S. Border Patrol became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of DHS”(Border Patrol History, 2010). The 21st century promises to provide enormous leaps in technology that can be applied to border enforcement. 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 mission of the Patrol (Border Patrol History, 2010) Border security The border security forces are the first line of defence for America. The armed forces such as military and police will come into the picture only after the border security forces as far as threats from intruders are concerned. The preliminary objective of border security forces is to prevent intruders such as terrorists, smugglers, and illegal immigrants from entering American territories. “In the course of discharging its duties the USBP patrols 8,000 miles of our international borders with Mexico and Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico”(Neto, 2008, p.2). “As of March 2006, the estimated unauthorized population in the United States was 11.5 to 12 million, of which 4.5 to 6 million entered legally with inspection and 6 to 7 million entered illegally without inspection” (The US-Mexico Border, 2006). Illegal immigration from Mexico is the matter of concern for the border security forces. It is easy for Mexicans to cross the border to America because of geographic peculiarities. Many people have the false belief that illegal immigration causes threat to security alone. An ordinary person may not understand the economic impacts of illegal immigration. McNeill (2009) have pointed out that “Illegal aliens in California have cost the state between $9 billion and $38 billion in public services. The state of Texas has estimated that the bill for illegal immigrant hospital care was as much as $1.3 billion in 2006” (McNeill, 2009). From the above statistics, it is evident that illegal immigration causes threat not only to security but also to economic progress. McNeill (2009) has pointed out that the three major functions of border security forces are: smart security, effective handling of economic resources and team effort (McNeill, 2009). Smart security means the effective handling of security measures with the help of most modern technologies, whereas management of economic resources means the reduction of transaction costs for business across borders. For example, commercial ships passing through the Somalian coastal areas need expensive security measures now because of the threats from sea robbers. Same way in the absence of enough security measures, goods movement across borders may become problematic. Border security forces should make sure that the goods travelled across the borders are free of any threats from bandits. Border security is a state issue as well as federal issue. In other words both the state and federal government should combine well to block the threats at borders. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 dissolved the Immigration and Naturalization Service and placed the USBP (U.S. Border Patrol) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Within DHS, the USBP forms a part of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection under the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (Haddal, 2010, p.ii). 9/11 incident has forced the authorities to make a lot of changes in the functioning of the security agencies in America. Department of Homeland Security currently controls the operations of all the other security agencies in America. The authorities have realised the necessities of having a centralised agency for defeating the efforts of illegal immigrants and terrorists. For example, many of the illegal immigrants may have different motives. It is quite possible that some of the illegal immigrants may have intentions to conduct terrorist activities in America. Immigration and Naturalization department may not be able to identify the intentions of illegal immigrants. Only the department of homeland security would be able to identify the real intentions behind illegal immigration. USBP has succeeded in defeating many of the efforts of the antisocial elements recently. Over one weekend, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized nearly 2.5 tons of marijuana and 80 ammunition magazines, several which were fully loaded. CBP officers at an air cargo consignment facility at Los Angeles International Airport seized 1.5 tons of methamphetamine chemicals arriving from China with a destination in Illinois. CBP agricultural specialists at Los Angeles International Airport halted attempts by two Japanese nationals to smuggle 55 exotic reptiles concealed in cookie boxes (CBP Highlights Top Seizures of 2011, 2011). The above statistics are clear indications of the effectiveness of border security forces in America. One of the disappointing facts about the functioning of USBP is that their success often went unnoticed, whereas their failures often projected more into the public lime lights. In fact, USBP is trying hard to ensure the safety and security of the people of America. They are vigilant virtually in every second to save Americans from the threats of intruders. Security measures are strengthened at every entry points in America now. “America requires a border management system that keeps pace with expanding trade while protecting the United States and its territories from the threats of terrorist attack, illegal immigration, illegal drugs, and other contraband” (Securing Americas Borders Fact Sheet: Border Security, 2002). One of the major criticisms labelled against USBP at present is with respect to the torturing of a particular community in the name of security measures. It should be noted that body scanning became compulsory in American airports at present. Even celebrities and VVIPs forced to undergo body scanning in American airports now. Former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam and Bollywood celebrity Shah Ruk Khan are some of the celebrities who forced to undergo body scanning at American airports as part of the security measures. Conclusions Border security activities started in America from 1924 onwards. Since then, the functioning of border security forces underwent many changes. Earlier, USBP was patrolling only the sea and land borders whereas at present intrusions through air are causing more worries to the border security forces. 9/11 incident has revealed the loopholes in American border security activities. At present USBP is using the most modern technologies to protect American borders. Reference Alden E. & Schwartz B.L.(2008). The Closing of the American Border. Retrieved from http://www.cfr.org/defensehomeland-security/closing-american-border/p16437 Border Patrol History (2010). Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/border_patrol_ohs/history.xml Border Patrol Overview, History and Strategy (2010). Department of Homeland Security Retrieved from http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/border_patrol_ohs/ CBP Highlights Top Seizures of 2011, (2011). Department of Homeland Security Retrieved from http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/1216011_2.xml Cooper E. (2011). Border Security and Congress. American Thinker. July 28, 2011.Retrieved from http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/04/border_security_and_congress.html Haddal C.C. (2010). Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL32562.pdf McNeill J.B. (2009). 15 Steps to Better Border Security: Reducing Americas Southern Exposure. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/03/15-steps-to-better-` border-security-reducing-americas-southern-exposure Neto B.N. (2008). Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol. CRS report for congress. Retrieved from http://trac.syr.edu/immigration/library/P3086.pdf Securing Americas Borders Fact Sheet: Border Security (2002). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0052.shtm The US-Mexico Border (2006). Retrieved from http://www.migrationinformation.org/feature/display.cfm?ID=407 Read More