Securing the US Border - Term Paper Example

 Securing the US Border A comprehensive plan including border security, immigration issues and the economic impact Abstract After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States of America experienced a vast change in its security, immigration and economic policies to name a few. The US sat down with the Canadian government to come up with a comprehensive border security plan known as the Smart Action Border Plan, which incorporated in it all aspects of the border security. The United States is also working together with Mexico to protect the south west border against illegal drug trafficking and immigrant movements. New forms of identity cards were issued to the residents of United States and Canada keeping in mind the new policies and biometric requirements. A lot of other technological measures were also taken to enhance border security. Discussion On September 11, 2001 two towers fell, but a nation of millions rose as one. The aftermath of the terrorist attacks was massive. It defied the whole foundation of US border security. People were left feeling unsafe in their own homes. The terrorist attacks cut a huge swath across the US policy landscape, ranging from major military and foreign policy actions to the biggest reorganization of the federal government since shortly after the end of World War II. Since the hijackers entered the country through legally issued visas, immigration was automatically linked with terrorism and border security. As a result, the structures of the federal immigration bureaucracy and immigration policies at the borders and within the US interior have been dramatically reshaped, along with other border security measures and economic policies. 9/11 was an attack on the democracy and the open economy of the US. US and Canada share a border that stretches across 8,893 kilometres of land and three oceans, and the US and Mexico share a border that is extended for 3141 km(Universalium,2010). It is the general consensus of the American population that the Mexican-US border needs to be more secure as to stop the smuggling of drugs and illegal immigrants but Senator Lieberman, in a report emphasized that the Canadian border should be more secure as there are more extremist Islamist families living in Canada. Border patrolling dates back to as early as 1904, when mounted watchmen patrolled the border to prevent illegal Chinese immigrants. Now, border security is just not limited to patrolling watchmen, but also includes biometric scans, lasers, virtual fence, cameras, motion detectors and sensors. On December 12, 2001, Canada and the US signed the Smart Border Action Plan (SBAP) to enhance the security of their shared border. The Action Plan focuses on four key elements: the secure flow of people, the secure flow of goods, secure infrastructure, and information sharing and coordination in the enforcement of these objectives. The key factors of the SBAP emphasized on raising the standard of the biometrics involved and a compatible technology to read it. Fingerprints, driver's license/passport and facial recognition have been selected as the most standard form of biometrics. Production of passports with embedded biometrics was initiated by the US in early 2005. The Canadian government issued permanent resident cards including laser engraved photograph and signatures that makes it one of the most fraud-resistant documents in the world. In order to make sure that the strict security measures does not inconvenience the residents of Canada and US who want to cross the border, the NEXUS highway programme was started, to simplify border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. On November 30, 2004, the two countries began piloting the NEXUS-Air program at Vancouver International Airport (VIA), British Columbia. NEXUS-Air uses iris recognition biometric technology (identifies an individual based on the unique pattern of their iris), which makes the US security even stronger(Government Canada, 2008). In February 2003, Canada and the United States signed a Statement of Mutual Understanding (SMU) to allow the two countries to more effectively exchange information on immigration-related issues and to systematically share information on refugee/asylum claimants. This will help each country identify potential security and criminal threats and expose "forum shoppers" who seek asylum in both systems. After 9/11, many countries now require a visa to travel to the US which was previously free, for e.g. Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Costa Rica amongst others. Currently, Canada and the United States have common visa policies for 175 countries, differing on only 18 countries. Canada and the United States have created a working group to study the feasibility of a program to screen passengers at check-in at overseas airports. This program would build on the existing framework for the use of Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record. On July 1, 2004, Canada and the United States began enforcing new marine security requirements, which include the completion of security assessments and security plans, are aimed at protecting international shipping from the threat of terrorism. The US started a programme called Immigration security Initiative (ISI), and deployed ISI officers overseas at specific airports in order to decrease the number of people arriving in the US with false documents. Canada and the United States both recognize the importance of technical assistance to developing countries as a means to improving international security. For this reason, the two countries continue to work together to provide technical assistance to developing nations in the form of improving document integrity, providing expertise on border controls, and joint training. Joint interdiction exercises and joint training programs assist countries in combating document fraud and irregular migration. For commercial purposes, Canada and the US have established Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program, designed for pre-approved importers, carriers and drivers to expedite the movement of low-risk shipments across the border. ). FAST have two main goals: to enhance the security and safety of North America and to build up the economic prosperity of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico(Government Canada, 2008). FAST provides an expedited release to commercial truck drivers under this program. Canada and the United States are working closely to harmonize commercial processing and risk assessment processes. To date, there has been significant harmonization on timeframes for advance cargo reporting, data elements and risk assessment methodologies, criteria and scoring. If a renewal request is filed before expiration, a FAST Driver card remains valid beyond its printed expiration date until a new card is activated or the renewal is denied. Inter-modal marine containers comprise approximately 90% of all cargo moved globally. Canada and the United States are working together to improve container security by jointly targeting high-risk containers at the first point of arrival in North America. Joint targeting teams were created at five marine ports in March 2002. Technology is being leveraged wherever possible to ensure the free and secure movement of people and goods across our borders. From biometric readers, through automated targeting systems, to modeling traffic flows at the border, technology serves as an important enabler for implementing the most efficient risk management approach to border security. With the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, the FBI have implemented an electronic system for the exchange of criminal records information, as well as fingerprints, using a standard communication interface. This new cutting edge technology allows fingerprints to be electronically recorded then transmitted and instantly verified against other databases in both countries. Canada and the United States have shared methodologies to address the issue of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) - ground to air shoulder fired missiles. Vulnerability assessments have been conducted in both countries with combined team. At the October 2004 CBCF, several new initiatives were announced, including the preparation of a joint threat assessment on human trafficking and a working group aimed at streamlining access to records of financial institutions and Internet service providers for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions. The most drastic change that US experienced was in its immigration policies as the 9/11 attackers entered the US with valid visas. The US visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) ranks amongst the most visible of the post 9/11 travel-control initiatives the governments has implemented to reduce security vulnerabilities. Through this, the US has been collecting biometric data(ten fingerprint scans) for all noncitizens entering US by air, sea or land, and deterring the entry of those who most likely seem to pose a threat. This data is stored in IDENT, a database with over 108 million individual fingerprint records(Chisti, Burgeron, 2011). Many foreign students, especially from the Muslim countries were denied student visas, and the stay of the existing international students was tightened. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System permits the tracking of international students, given student`s educational status, e.g. student enrolment, drop out date, starting of next term tec. Furthermore, international students are screened before issuing out visas and are often called for interviews. Many nationality based screenings were done, mostly of citizens of Muslim countries. The FBI conducted rounds of voluntary interviews of Muslims and Arab Americans in the months after 9/11. The National Security Entry-Exit System was initiated in 2002 as a registration system for noncitizens, from pre dominantly Muslim countries, deemed to be a risk to national security. The Department of Justice apprehended and interrogated thousands of unauthorized immigrants, who may have ignored deportation orders, and seeked ways to prosecute any who had ties to terrorism and Al-Qaeda. Some of the unauthorized immigrants were also detained for possible criminal charges. Border controls, particularly at the Southwest border, have been dramatically reshaped. From unmanned drones patrolling border regions to ground sensors designed to detect the movements of illicit crossers in remote terrain , the federal government has invested billions of dollars in equipment and personnel, and developed a strategic plan for gaining operational control of the US-Mexico border. Established in 2005, the Secure Border Initiative (SBI) policy framework combines physical fencing with technological improvements and increases in law enforcement to gain operational control of the Southwest border. The $30 billion technological piece, the virtual fence was a high-tech surveillance project of motion sensors, remotely operated camera surveillance, ground-based radar, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The SBI was however discontinued with the exception of the physical fencing. Even environmental protection laws were waived off to ensure border security. For citizens of Mexico and Canada, a Border Crossing Card was issued to make travelling for tourists or business purposes easier. The citizens of Mexico could also get the SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travellers Rapid Inspection) cards and vehicle decal, and thus avoid the long lines at the US border. Whereas, the citizens of Canada could join the NEXUS programme, which makes border clearance much more effective for pre-approved low risk travellers. NEXUS cards are WHTI-compliant documents for land and sea travel, as well as air travel when traveling to and from airports using the NEXUS program, and provide expedited travel via land, air or sea to approved members between the U.S. and Canada border(Trusted travellers, 2011). With about $1.7 billion in goods and services crossing the Canada-United States border each day, secure and efficient border crossings are the life line of our mutual economic growth and prosperity. Canada's investments in secure and efficient border management in cooperation with the U.S. demonstrate our common values and interests. Canada and the United States are each other's most important trading partners. Our growing economic inter-dependence benefits both countries in an era of global change. The Action Plan will enhance the benefits of programs that help trusted traders and travellers move efficiently across the border and will introduce new measures to facilitate movement and trade across the border, while reducing the administrative burden for business and investing in improvements to our shared border infrastructure and technology. Among the measures included are: Developing an overall approach for future preclearance initiatives, including implementing a number of new pre-inspection and preclearance initiatives in rail, marine and highway modes of transportation to relieve pressures at border crossings; Establishing wait-time service levels and posting wait times on the Internet so that truckers and others can better plan their border crossings; Increasing and harmonizing the value thresholds for expedited customs clearance and streamlining current import processes for low-value shipments to minimize the burden at the border for these kinds of shipments; Launching a joint independent assessment of fees charged at the border in order to have a better picture of border costs to businesses; Installing radio frequency identification technology at key border crossings so that documents can be read as vehicles approach the border, thus saving time and helping to relieve congestion at the border itself(Action Plan, 2011); These key steps, amongst others mentioned before this, helped facilitate the economic growth of the country. Canada – U.S. Bilateral trade is more than two and a half times greater than prior to signing the Free Trade Agreement. Although, President Bush and Obama have taken the United States border security to a level many believed was not possible, still nearly two thirds of the American population thinks that the border is no longer secure, or even less in some cases. A major reason for this common belief is that the Department of Homeland Security has never clearly defined what border control means are in practice. Not all the security details or updates are made public, the common man is kept in the dark, resulting in fear arising amongst the Americans. Another reason for border concerns arise as many of the operations or programmes initiated after the terrorist attacks of September 11, have been shut down or discontinued after they failed to produce results and seldom have been replaced with others. SBInet is a major example, a programme that faced management challenges, making it in-effective. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security abandoned plans to use radio frequency identification technology in the US-VISIT border security system after pilot testing failed. A government report identified numerous performance and reliability programs in the 15-month test. The report said that RFID failed to "meet a key goal of US-VISIT, ensuring that visitors who enter the country are the same ones who leave." Senate Joseph Lieberman said the report prepared by the U.S. Government Accountability Office shows American and Canadian agencies do not have the ability to detect illegal crossings of drugs, weapons and people along the vast majority of the border. The report concluded just 50 kilometres along more than 6,400 kilometres of the border had reached an "acceptable level of security" in 2010. Such statements obviously upsets the public and they feel threatened. But it is no doubt true that more needs to be done to secure the border. Although the SBI program was shut down, an advanced technology program can reach SBI’s key goals if multiple corrective measures are taken. By upgrading human resources and procurement practices, harnessing new technology, and setting up transparent, evidence-based operations, DHS can restore confidence in the overall SBI program and produce budget savings. Additional funding should be given only after the project is ready to build out. Instead of spending more money on new ideas, the government needs to focus on ongoing programmes, to mend what is broken first before proceeding. Also the current border policy is not 100% effective as there are still illegal border crossings reported, although the number has decreased immensely. It is not humanly possible that there are zero illegal crossings or zero drug trafficking, people who want to perform such acts, usually find ways around the border security. But then again, if there are multiple illegal entries happening occasionally, then the system is not secure. The real challenge is to find a middle ground and limit anything that threatens America's security to a minimum. The government of US constantly needs to add more to the border security policies, as one wrong entry into the country can determine its fate. They need to hire a more effective panel of people who review the current policies and determine its shortcomings way before, so that they can be replaced in a timely manner. This will result in a cost reduction and time being managed more effectively. And lastly, US needs to involve its general public regarding the status of the border security, so they can have a better understanding of it and contribute more. REFERENCES : Universalium, 2010. United States http://universalium.academic.ru/221544/United_States Governmnet of Canada, 2008. Smart Border Action Plan Status Report http://migration.ucdavis.edu/rs/more.php?id=170_0_2_0 Muzaffar Chishti and Claire Bergeron, 2011. Migration Information source http://www.migrationinformation.org/USFocus/print.cfm?ID=852 Trusted Traveller Programme, 2011. Securing America's Border http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/ Action Plan, 2011. Perimeter Security and Economic http://actionplan.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?mode=preview&pageId=336 Read More