The Department of Homeland Security - Assignment Example

Homeland Security Homeland Security The Department of Homeland Security was created subsequent to the September 11 terrorist attacksin the United States (Murphy, 2013). The organization has a simple mandate that is to ensure that the country does not experience another terrorist attack. The organization has succeeded in keeping the country safe because there have only been a handful of small terrorist attacks in the country since its establishment. However, it experiences significant criticism over its effectiveness and ability to respond to the evolving nature of modern terrorism. Fiscal issues have led to concerns about its financial practices. An evaluation of Department of Homeland Security demonstrates that in spite of its shortcomings, it is the best hope for protecting Americans from terrorists. Consequently, it is necessary to enhance its effectiveness and address the challenges that limit organizational efficiency. The Patriot Act The Patriot Act was passed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center (The Department of Justice, 2015). The widespread support for this tool was demonstrated by the huge bipartisan support. The Senate passed it 98-1 while the House voted 357-66 to approve its passage (The Department of Justice, 2015). The Act gave the Department of Homeland Security new tools to detect and neutralize terrorism threats facing the country. The tool allowed the Department of Homeland security to enhance the effectiveness of its existing tools by giving it more surveillance powers and making it possible to access business records without tipping the suspects (The Department of Justice, 2015). In addition, it made it possible for different security agencies to coordinate effectively. The approach enabled them to connect the dots to result in improved security outcomes. It is noted that the Act updated the law for it to be consistent with new technologies and emerging threats. It is also evident that the Act increased the penalties for the individuals and organizations that engage in terrorist activities. The Act also exudes varied controversies because many people believe that since it was passed forty-five days after the terrorist attack, it was not subjected to intense scrutiny (Diamond, 2015). The security agencies have also abused the Act to create a surveillance state. Interestingly, the increased surveillance led to the collection of colossal amounts of data that made it difficult for the security agencies to find valuable patterns. The revelations by a NSA analyst, Edward Snowden raised concerns about its invasion of privacy and undermined support for the Act among the American public. Consequently, the elected leaders allowed some sections of the bill to expire in June (Diamond, 2015). The expiration of this Act causes the government to lose three key provisions (Diamond, 2015). Firstly, the government loses Section 215 provision that allows it to collect millions of telephone metadata and store it for five years (Diamond, 2015). Secondly, law enforcement officers will lose the ability to get approval for roving wiretaps on terror suspects that frequently change communication tools such as mobile phones. Thirdly, the government has lost the power to use the national security machinery against individuals that it cannot link to any terror groups (Diamond, 2015). The suspects in this scenario are known as “lone wolves” (Diamond, 2015). However, the Department of Justice has indicated that the third provision has never been applicable (Diamond, 2015). The introduction of The Freedom Act limits the abuse of this Act. It also extends its effective provisions. In spite of the negative criticism that it has received, the Patriot Act has enabled the Department of Homeland Security to detect and prevent other terrorist activities from occurring within the United States of America. The decentralization of surveillance functions Stakeholders in the security sector and members of the public are debating a proposition to reduce the functions of the Department of Homeland Security. The process would involve transferring a significant part of its functions to state and local agencies. Consequently, the organization is likely to focus on national policies. The understanding that the bureaucratic structure within the organization has undermined counterterrorism efforts supports the idea. Local and state agencies understand their communities better. Consequently, they can identify new threats to national security. However, embracing this idea would significantly undermine the ability of the United States respond to the evolving nature of terrorism. Devolving anti-terrorism efforts would entrench the bureaucratic system that undermines national security initiatives. In addition, it would make it difficult to analyze suspicious behavior. For instance, it would be difficult to notice that a group in Los Angeles is coordinating with another one in Chicago. Developing relationships between such practices is key in the counter-terrorism process. Consequently, it is important to ensure that the counter-terrorism efforts are centralized within the Department of Homeland Security. It is necessary to embrace varied efforts to reduce the inefficiencies that undermine its ability to keep the country safe. Deconstructing TSA and allowing Airports to manage their own security. Many ideas under discussion among the American public are influenced by the need to address privacy concerns about the growth of the surveillance state. In addition, many people believe that some of the anti-terrorism measures implemented undermine their ability to lead normal lives. One of the most significant concerns involves the role of the TSA in airports. TSA officials are responsible for ensuring that the people entering the country do not pose a security threat. The checkpoints have been a significant cause of concern among members of the public due to their intrusive nature. The Transportation Security Agency started with 13 employees. However, it has grown to include 60,000 employees (Applebaum, 2010). The rapid expansion has seen it benefit from an increased budgetary allocation that exceeds what it needs to fulfill its mandate. For instance, it spent $ 350, 000 out of its $ 6 Billion budget on a new gym in 2005 (Applebaum, 2015). The organization also spent $ 500, 000 on artwork and silk plants (Applebaum, 2010). The expenditure is obscene in an era of fiscal discipline as the government battles to reduce the national deficit. Consequently, some people believe that the TSA should be deconstructed and their functions transferred to the airports. Although the idea addresses important concerns, it fails to understand the significance of airports in promoting national security. People can get into the United States through airports, ports and border points. As a result, it is a major point of entry for foreigners into the country. They provide the first opportunity to identify and neutralize potential threats to the well-being of the United States. The important role highlights the need to ensure that the TSA continues to perform its role in airports. Americans have to be willing to compromise some comforts and convenience to promote their safety. The threat of terrorism, especially to the safety of the country and its ability to achieve economic and social responsibility is evolving. The task of protecting the people has to be left with the organizations who understand the challenges involved and the appropriate measures that keep Americans safe. Evaluation of the financial implications of current practices The Department of Homeland Security receives funding from the government though many people are concerned with how it appropriates these funds. The organization employs 240,000 people with five core security missions (Murphy, 2013). The first task involves preventing terrorism and enhancing security within the country. The second involves managing American borders and enforcing immigration laws. It is also involved in safeguarding cyberspace and helping local communities to recover from disasters. The organization is the third largest federal department and consists of 22 federal agencies (Murphy, 2013). Consequently, it receives a large budget in order to perform its functions. However, a 55 page report that was prepared in 2012 by Senator Tom Coburn demonstrates that it has mismanaged a significant part of the $ 35 billion had received by then (Murphy, 2012). In particular, its Urban Area Security initiative has failed to demonstrate its usage of the funds allocated (Mayer, 2012). The observation can be linked to the pressure for the Department of Homeland Security to spread the program across different cities. The wasteful spending is particularly distressing since the federal deficit has risen to $ 16 billion (Murphy, 2013). For instance, Columbia, Ohio spent $ 98,000 on an underwater robot (Murphy, 2013). The expenditure represents the ways in which the organization is losing money by focusing on ideas that have little impact on fulfilling its mandate. The Auditor General has expressed many concerns about its grants program. The misappropriation of funds is because it is not held accountable for its financial practices. The North Pole office in Alaska that serves 1, 500 people used $ 557, 400 to purchase rescue and communication equipment (Applebaum, 2010). In 2010, the Department of Homeland Security spent $ 63, 000 of its $ 55 Billion budget to establish a decontamination unit that was not used (Applebaum, 2010). The organization also spent $ 431 million to acquire radio equipment that only 400 employees know how to use (Kramer & Hellaman, 2013). The Department of Homeland Security can provide proof that its efforts have made the country safer. In addition, the organization has spent significant proportions of resources to monitor peaceful demonstrators. The activity signifies misappropriation of funds because it is not the organization’s mandate to do so. The approach has created a negative image among members of the public. Many people believe that the organization uses a significant part of its budget to undermine civil liberties as opposed to keeping the country safe. An evaluation of its spending patterns demonstrates that the expenditure is subject to the influence of the latest scare threat as opposed to being consistent with a long-term strategy. For example, it uses outdated technologies in its disaster response programs in spite of the $ 14 Billion allocated to FEMA (Kramer & Hellman, 2013). The lack of oversight has allowed it to engage in fiscal mismanagement. For instance, its new Washington D. C headquarters had $ 1.5 billion in cost overruns while it recorded $ 8.7 billion in unearned employee overtime (Ehley, 2014). The generous budgets allocated to the Transportation Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security should be subject to reductions. The subsequent savings should focus on other activities that can have a more direct impact on enhancing the ability of this country to prevent the occurrence of another terrorist attack. For instance, they can create an effective computer network for analyzing potential threats to the United States. In addition, they could provide additional training to consular offices in high-risk areas around the world. Conclusion The Department of Homeland security performs a noteworthy role in the national security apparatus. It has demonstrated its capability to keep Americans safe. Consequently, it is fundamental to solve the problems that undermine its performance. In addition, it needs to demonstrate fiscal discipline. If the organization adopts the recommendations mentioned in this paper, then the country would be better prepared to win the war against terror. However, the American public and congressional leaders must support its efforts. References Applebaum, A. (2010). Sense and Security. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2010/01/sense_and_security.html Diamond, J. (2015). Patriot Act provisions have expired: What happens now? Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/30/politics/what-happens-if-the-patriot-act-provisions-expire/ Ehley, B. (2014). 68 Ways Homeland Security Has Wasted Your Tax Dollars. Retrieved from http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2014/11/26/68-Ways-Homeland-Security-Has-Wasted-Your-Tax-Dollars Kramer, M & Hellman, C. (2013). Homeland Security: The Trillion-Dollar Concept That No One Can Define. Retrieved from http://www.thenation.com/article/173131/homeland-security-trillion-dollar-concept-no-one-can-define Mayer, M. (2012). Surprise, Surprise: Report Finds Homeland Security Wasting Money. Retrieved from http://dailysignal.com/2012/12/08/surprise-surprise-report-finds-homeland-security-wasting-money/ Murphy, D. (2013). Dept. of Homeland Security Wasting Billions. Retrieved from http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/04/19/dept-of-homeland-security-wasting-billions/ The Department of Justice. (2015). The USA PATRIOT Act: Preserving Life and Liberty. 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