Does the US Border Control Reflect Best Practice from an International Perspective - Essay Example

Does United s’ boarder control Reflect ‘Best Practice’ from an International Perspective?” al affiliation) Introduction The United States border control policy is one of the policies that has affected the operation at the border and has been a challenge to both the citizens and immigrants. The main mission of border patrol policy in the United States is to control terrorist weapons and terrorists themselves from entering the county as well as identifying the people who are likely to enter the county without permission or in an illegal manner. The border control policy has been tightened after the 9/11 attack that led to hundreds of American citizens losing their lives. The policy has therefore been affected to prevent entrance of weapon of mass destruction into the county (Wang, 2009). The paper is a discussion on the impact of border control policy towards the citizens as well as its opportunities and challenges. Policy brief on Border security policy Opportunities Effective border control policy will present numerous opportunities to the United States and the neighbors. While the border control policy has changed unexpectedly since its inception in 1924. Its main mission has remained unchanged; to prevent and detect illegal entry of people into the United States of America. The department of homeland security is currently in charge of border security in the country. The point of interest is often the American Mexico border. Together with other law enforcers, the border patrol team has continued to place the US border under surveillance with an intention of identifying any threat to national security as well as illegal entry. Border policy does not prevent people from entering the United States, it only ensures that the entrance of people who are in possession of legal documents as well as screening individuals who may be trafficking contrabands and drugs into the country (Chávez, 2003). Border control policy is considered a stepping stone towards fighting terrorism since the September 11 attack. Implementation of border control policy by the department of homeland security will enable the country to deal with the challenges such as smuggling of drugs into the country, prevention of illegal immigration as well as entrance of terrorism and dangerous weapon into the country Challenges Strict Border control policy has affected both citizens and the country’s international image. The policy has resulted to prolonged security screening at the border there by delaying numerous activities that are linked to boosting the economy of the United States of America. The border patrol in the county is responsible for patrolling two thousand miles of coastal waters surrounding Florida peninsula as well as six thousand miles of Canadian and Mexican border (Ngai, 2008). The agents are allowed to work around the clock in all types of weather conditions and terrain as well as in other isolated communities within the county. So many changes have taken place since the inception of the policy in the 1924. The number of agents patrolling the border has been increased to over twenty one thousands agents by the end of 2012. Although the United States border control measures may be considered as strict by many international states, I believe that their actions are extremely justified. The United States government has a mandate of ensuring that the people are safe from terrorists and other insecurities (DHS Increases Border Security in Response to Narcotrafficking Violence., 2009). Despite the government’s initiatives to ensure that the boarder is secure, the agent’s activity should not impact negatively on the normal operation at the border. Although border control policy may have numerous advantages compared to the limitations, the policy has been associated with numerous negative effects such as lowering the number of people traveling to the United States of America for tourism purposes. The border patrol team acts to ensure that the likelihood of dangerous people entering the United States of America is lowered. These activities are often accomplished through following leads, maintaining surveillance, interpreting and following tracks as well as responding to aircraft sighting and sensor alarms. Some of the major activities carried out by the patrol team are to ensure that traffic is maintained at check points, conducting anti smuggling investigation and conducting transportation checks and conducting city patrol (Crowe & Lucas-Vergona, 2007). Some of these activities may end up delaying activities at the border making tourists and business people disappointed (Badey, 2006). Despite border control policy being in place for a very long time, illegal immigration and smuggling of contrabands into the country has continued to take place. The Obama government should be able to develop an efficient way of measuring border security and then inform the public and congress about the findings so as to allay anxiety that exist in the country. It is indeed true that the border security has continued to register achievements. The number of people that have been arrested on issues that are related to illegal entry into the United States of America has declined. In 2010 for example, the number of people who are arrested in connection to illegal entry into the country was estimated at 463,000 people, the number is considered the lowest since the inception of policy almost a century ago (Globerman & Storer, 2009). The number of arrest may not be a possible indicator of reduced illegal immigration into the country. The number of people who are entering the county without being caught may be high or may be the traffickers and smugglers may have found other possible routes of entering the country without being noticed. The change in circumstances explains why the country adopted a controversial law called SB 1070 which gives the state police power to arrest and detains individuals who are suspected to have entered the country illegally. However, the departments of homeland security who have been at the forefront in taking care of the border security believe that enforcement of border policies have led to a reduction in the arrest made against illegal entry into the United States of America (Ramírez, 2009). Despite the benefits that have been achieved by tight boarder security such as reduction in the number of illegal entry into the country, the approach has impacted negatively on the economy of the county as well as relationship with the neighboring countries and international relationships. Strict boarder security has affected both the activities of legal immigrants entering and leaving the country, since they have to undergo long security screening and thereby time wasting. The move has also painted a bad picture of the United States as an unfriendly state. Experienced workers from other countries that were willing to work in the United States of America have changed their minds and moved to other welcoming countries (Sokolsky & Lagassé, 2006). The number of tourists traveling to the United States from other parts of the world has declined as a result of tight security screening that people go through at the airport. It is time for the country to reconsider the economic impact of the border security policy towards the economy of the country. Recommendation Presently, United States border security activities are fragmented, poor coordinated and compartmentalized. Moreover, international collaboration is less yet success depends on international cooperation. In order for the United States to deal with the boarder control issue, then it has to cooperate with both Mexico and Canada. Establishment of a tri-national- Canadian ,Mexican and united states border security agency , In addition to re-established guest worker program and legalizing drugs will be more cost efficient and effective in securing the north American borders. Although it may seem challenging to come up with such collaboration, all the three countries should utilize the opportunity to facilitate unity in the region as well as working together to prevent the acts of terrorism. Conclusion Border control policy has been associated with a lot of challenges and opportunities. Even though it has become a challenge to maintain a secure border since the inception of the policy in 1924, it is time for the government to establish a tri-national security agency that will include the neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico. International collaboration will help deal with the challenges encountered by the enforcement of the policy. References Badey, T. (2006). US counter-terrorism: Change in approach, continuity in policy. Contemporary Security Policy, 27(2), 308-324. doi:10.1080/13523260600821491 Burt, M. (2009). Tighter Border Security and Its Effect on Canadian Exports. Canadian Public Policy, 35(2), 149-169. doi:10.3138/cpp.35.2.149 Chávez, L. (2003). Public Discourse, Immigration, and Control of The US–Mexico Border: Reflections on Jorge Durand and Douglas S. Masseys “The Costs of Contradiction US Border Policy 1986–2000”. Lat Stud, 1(2), 253-263. doi:10.1057/palgrave.lst.8600028 Crowe, S., & Lucas-Vergona, J. (2007). What should be done about the illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States?. Mathematical And Computer Modelling, 46(7-8), 1115-1129. doi:10.1016/j.mcm.2007.03.026 DHS Increases Border Security in Response to Narcotrafficking Violence. (2009). Foreign Policy Bulletin, 19(02), 26. doi:10.1017/s1052703609000690 Globerman, S., & Storer, P. (2009). Border Security and Canadian Exports to the United States: Evidence and Policy Implications. Canadian Public Policy, 35(2), 171-186. doi:10.1353/cpp.0.0014 Ngai, M. (2008). The Strange Career of the Illegal Alien: Immigration Restriction and Deportation Policy in the United States, 1921-1965. Law And History Review, 21(1), 69. doi:10.2307/3595069 Ramírez, H. (2009). U.S. Security and Border Protection Policy before and after 9/11: A Policy Impact Assessment. Politics & Policy, 37(3), 579-609. doi:10.1111/j.1747-1346.2009.00186.x Sokolsky, J., & Lagassé, P. (2006). Suspenders and a belt: Perimeter and border security in Canada‐us relations. Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, 12(3), 15-29. doi:10.1080/11926422.2006.9673406 Wang, J. (2001). Illegal Chinese Immigration into the United States: A Preliminary Factor Analysis. International Journal Of Offender Therapy And Comparative Criminology, 45(3), 345-355. doi:10.1177/0306624x01453006 Read More