U.S Border Security

U.S Border Security

Question 1

There are several problems brought about by the U.S unlawful border activity, which are a threat to the interests of the United States. Criminals that are involved in these prohibited border activities know the loopholes of the United States very well and therefore keep on exploiting them. One of the significant problems brought about by prohibited border activity is illicit mining.

Illicit Mining

Transitional Criminal Organizations (TCO) with the inclusion of insurgent groups and also drug traffickers use gold that is frequently mined in South America illegally. The groups of criminals use the gold to reap a large amount of cash in illicit gains that boost their strength more and even long-term viability. They additionally make use of gold trafficking, which is their method of laundering gains from various illegal activities. Illicit mining is a significant threat to national security, to the success of the United States, and also a threat to the American partners across Latin America. Illicit mining is a massive threat as it compromises the legal supply chain of gold and even exploits the financial system of America for unlawful benefits. Prohibited gold mining also enhances and is connected to various crimes like sex and even labor trafficking. Peru and Colombia are also victims of the illicit mining problem.

Current Solution

The United States currently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pery and also Colombia governments. It was meant to broaden cooperation to fight against illicit mining and bring down its adverse effects. The MOU of Peru backs up more than forty activities, which build or advance the Peruvian administration’s scope of fighting against TCOs. It also assists in eradicating illicit mining from safeguarded areas. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ support focuses on disrupting the network of those crooks that smuggle narcotics, unlicensed gold, controlled chemicals, and migrants. The back up from INL is also aimed at preventing unlawful dug up gold from getting into the United States and even the global market. Inside the MOU’s framework, INL works together with the various United States administration agencies and also Peru’s administration to coach the prosecutors, police force, judges, and some auditors. All those individuals that are obligated to investigate these offenses and persecute perpetrators are also trained. INL additionally coaches customs powers at various ports and even airports regarding the way to single out deceitful documents to raise or enhance seizures of illicit gold before it gets out of Peru’s border. The MOU between Colombia and the U.S has also heightened combined efforts to fight unlicensed mining with the inclusion of mercury usage detection and elimination.

Risk Mitigation

The United States’ Embassy located in Lima, gave a Commercial Advisory. It encouraged consumers, sellers, dealers, and also gold’s refiners to carry out an additional investigation as a part of their regimes for managing risk, to report for the inflow of unlawfully dug up Peruvian gold into the current supply chains. The message was essential as it helped all the existing business parties to stay alert and report any incident related to the issue. That would help mitigate the risk as the criminals would be afraid of getting exposed

Overpopulation

The second problem brought about by unlawful border activity that is a threat to the U.S interest is overpopulation due to illegal migrations. The massive inflow of Mexicans into the United States has contributed to cultural diversity, provided cheap labor options, and also boosted the business of America. However, the massive inflow has overcrowded the American cities, created an advancing tension with the U.S citizens, and even various Mexican immigrants who have endured all the system’s difficulties and live in the U.S legally. As illegal migrants keep flowing into the United States, the demand for valuable commodities like water keeps on rising while the availability keeps on decreasing. American cities continue to overcrowd hence straining community utilities like trains.

Current Solution

There is the U.S border patrol that apprehends illegal migrants trying to sneak inside the country. The United States uses expedited removal, which is currently a formal method whereby those caught trying to sneak inside are taken to Immigration and Customs Enforcement within 72 hours. After that they are deported, immediately an order of deportation is signed. Those individuals seeking asylum can, however, not be deported that easily. They have to be screened by asylum officers first. A border wall has also been built between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal migrants from getting into the country.

Risk Mitigation

One way that the U.S could reduce the risks brought about by illegal immigration is investing cash and even resources to assist in building and strengthening the economy of Mexico. If the Mexican economy can be improved, it can manage to support its citizens; hence few of them will need to move to the United States. That would lessen the negative impacts that unlawful immigrants inflict on the economy of the United States.

Drug Trafficking

The third problem is drug trafficking that brings about high rates of drug usage among American youths. The issue has a significant impact as the youth indulge in illegal drug businesses joining various drug cartels. Drug use destroys the lives of teenagers, as most of them even drop out of school. The youths are the future leaders of the U.S; thus, losing them into drug addiction is a significant problem for the future of America.

Current solution

U.S border patrol is doing its best to ensure that no drugs are smuggled into the country. There is also the usage of technology for scanning all vehicles crossing the border. The technology used is drive-through X-ray devices.

Risk Mitigation

To reduce the impact of drug risk, the United States is putting a lot of effort into rehabilitating the youth. The process is achieved through the various rehabilitation and transformation programs. There are also numerous educational programs to educate young people on the risks associated with drug usage.

Question 2

The risk evaluation method involves several steps. The first step is selecting threats and even hazards to be included in the Homeland Security National Risk Characterization. There are three parts included in this step, which are generating a risks and hazards’ list and selecting screening criteria. The third part is choosing a set of threats and also dangers already listed in order of essentiality or priority. The second step is the selection of the risk attributes. Risk attributes are used in the description of threats and even hazards. The level involves the choosing of criteria for threat attributes. It also consists of the selection of attributes. That means the characterization of how dangers or even hazards impact the nation.

The third step is the collection of data concerning threats and also hazards. Data provided by the government is collected and also analyzed to define the perils and dangers singled out during the first stage. In the fourth step, all the inputs obtained from the previous three stages are used in characterizing the risks and hazards, after which vetted threat summary sheets are produced.  The objective of the threat summary sheets is to consistently give an overview of the way every peril and hazard impact the country. The outline is given to the Department of Homeland Security and all its partners throughout the homeland safeguarding enterprise.

The threat summary sheets are carefully examined by experts inside DHS and also at Research ANd Development. They are thoroughly reviewed to determine if the risk evaluation was used persistently and if the information sources that were made use of were suitable. The threat summary sheets are also carefully reviewed to assess if the effect assessments were persistent with the supporting data.

Question 3

Just before international travelers get in or leave the U.S, their pictures are taken by cameras owned by Customs and Border Protection or even by equipment that the airlines, cruise line, or airport authority provide. The Traveler Verification Service, which is a CBP’s service that matches biometrics, matches the new picture with the one held by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The photo-matching includes images from pictures taken by CBP at the time of the entry check-up, pictures from the U.S passports, United States visas, and also various travel documents. Pictures from the earlier DHS encounters are also an inclusion.

References