Border Security and Terrorism

The concept of border security in the United States of America shares a complex relationship with the persistent threat of terrorism. Border security includes the protection of land borders, ports, and airports. The relationship is unique in the sense that the federal government must constantly reevaluate and tweak its border security policy to address the threats posed to the United States through the form of human terrorism or the smuggling and detonation of a weapon of mass destruction. This article explores the relationship between border security and terrorism by analyzing these threats. It also discusses the government policies and procedures currently in place at land border crossings, ports, and airports to combat the terrorist threat.

History of the relationship between border security and terrorism

Directly after the events of September 11, 2001, the Federal Government typically placed a higher priority on obvious aspects of homeland security, such as intelligence reform, as opposed to border security. However, the government as well as the American public eventually reasoned that in order for a high-magnitude attack like September 11 to occur, something had to be seriously wrong with the border security apparatuses that were in place at the time. After all, every single one of the terrorist hijackers on September 11 had been a recipient of a temporary U.S tourist visa, which means they were legally allowed to be in the United States. If nineteen men who were committed to causing harm to Americans were capable of getting past the government screening restrictions that were in place, one could only imagine how great of a threat to America was posed by the largely unchecked 3,017-mile (4,855 km) long Canadian border, the 1,933-mile (3,111 km) long Mexican border, and the many unsecured ports.

Ever since September 11, many actions have been taken to improve border security in the United States. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002 as well as the implementation of many new policies and procedures (both classified and unclassified) has without a doubt made America's borders, ports, and airports safer than they were in 2001. However, there is no question that the threats posed by terrorism via America's land borders, ports, and airports still exist; and there are still questions as to whether the United States is truly safe from another attack.

Threats of terrorism

Land borders

The expansive Mexican and Canadian borders offer terrorists ample opportunity to illegally smuggle either weapons of mass destruction into the United States or illegally enter the country themselves. When it comes to weapons of mass destruction, the threat posed to land borders is obvious. In July 2007, the Director of National Intelligence released a National Intelligence Estimate that stated although terrorists will continue to favor conventional tactics such as bombings and shootings, international terrorists, including al-Qa’ida, are actively plotting to conduct chemical and biological attacks against the United States. This threat is complicated by the numerous potential means of delivering these weapons which includes bombs, spray devices, missiles, or homemade delivery devices. In addition, the sheer sizes of both the Canadian and Mexican borders present the Federal Government's security forces with daunting challenges with regards to their ability to protect the homeland. According to a 2004 report from the Congressional Research Service, there are "great difficulties in securing the many points through which people and goods may enter legally, and the thousands of miles of ‘lines’, thinly guarded stretches of coasts and land borders which entry is illegal." Therefore, it is very difficult for the government to secure every point through which people or goods smuggled by people may enter. Hypothetically, a terrorist hoping to smuggle a weapon of mass destruction into the United States would have many locations (many of them unguarded) through which he or she could do so. In addition a terrorist would have many methods of using a weapon of mass destruction. Both this fact and the size of America's borders create an enormous threat to the security of the United States.

Ports

The Federal Government faces tremendous threats to national security through the many American ports in continuous use. The biggest threat of the smuggling and detonation of a weapon of mass destruction comes from these ports, many of which are both unchecked and unsecured. As part of her testimony at a Congressional Hearing on container security, JayEtta Hecker, Director for Physical Infrastructure Issues at the Government Accountability Office, said "Drugs and illegal aliens are routinely smuggled into this country, not only in small boats but also hidden among otherwise legitimate cargoes on large commercial ships. These same pathways are available for exploitation by a terrorist organization or any nation or person wishing to attack us surreptitiously." In fact, Ms. Hecker's testimony also touched on the fact that the sheer number of cargo containers that enter the United States augments this threat. She is correct in her analysis. According to a March 2008 edition of the respected technical journal Scientific American, more than 42 million 20-foot (6.1 m) containers enter American ports each year. In essence, just as the high number of miles of America's land borders exacerbates the threat posed to the United States, the high number of cargo containers that come through American ports do the same with regards to port security. Each container entering the United States represents a potential threat to homeland security.

Airports

More than 87 million people enter the U.S. every year through airports, which makes them a primary point of entry for potential terrorists. For example, Ra’ed al-Banna, a young Jordanian man, attempted to enter the United States in 2003. He had a valid passport and visa but the Department of Homeland Security's computer system flagged him for additional screening. The officer screening him denied him admission to the United States at Chicago O’Hare Airport and sent him back to Jordan. In 2005, that same man drove a car bomb into a crowd of Iraqi police recruits in Iraq and killed 135 people. The system that restricted al-Banna from entering the United States is under much scrutiny as an invasion of privacy. The story of Ra’ed al-Banna demonstrates that the threat of an attack of this manner is still an imminent danger that still exists. It is unknown what al-Banna's intentions were during visit to the United States. While much time has passed from September 11, 2001, the possibility of another similar attack still exists as a result of the threat posed to border security via America's many airports.

Current policies and security mechanisms

Land borders

Border security is one of the most critical issues facing the United States today. Intelligence is integral to preventing future attacks and it is the combination of several policies that create the safety and security within the American border. US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) mission is to apprehend terrorists and terrorist weapons illegally entering the United States, deter illegal entries through improved enforcement, detect smugglers of humans, drugs, and other contraband, use "smart border" technology, and to reduce crime in border communities. CBP protects by air, land, and sea and utilizes canine programs. It falls under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security. CBP patrols 8,000 miles (13,000 km) of American borders and the water around Puerto Rico and Florida. More than 90% of CBP officials are deployed to the Mexican border because 97% of illegal immigrants are apprehended there so the main goal of CBP is to contain illegal immigration. The Canadian border is more likely to be targeted by terrorist organizations so Canada and the United States work closely to ensure safety for both countries. CBP also utilizes an Automated Biometrics Identification System (IDENT) to identify criminals and repeat border crossers. Border Patrol Officials do not have the same access to Terrorist Watch Lists that airlines and TSA agents have. The security systems of these separate organizations should be integrated to allow for maximum security. The Secure Fence Act was signed by President George W. Bush in 2006 to increase the capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security. The Act authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of fencing on the U.S.-Mexican border, increases vehicle barriers, checkpoints, and lighting, as well as authorizes DHS to increase advanced technology like cameras and satellites.

The Federal Government has implemented many security policies and mechanisms to intercept and prevent terrorists wishing to illegally enter or smuggle a weapon of mass destruction over one of America's land borders. In order to combat this threat, the Department of Homeland Security has completed more than 216 miles (348 km) of pedestrian fence and 154 miles (248 km) of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately 370 miles (600 km). In addition, the Border Patrol now has more than 17,600 agents and, by the end of this year, will have more than 18,300 agents deployed on both the southern and northern border. Finally, the Department of Homeland Security is using technology along the border in connection with tactical infrastructure, where Border Patrol deems necessary. Some technology currently used includes unattended ground sensors, truck-mounted mobile surveillance systems, remote video surveillance systems, unmanned aerial systems, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to detect, classify, track and respond to illegal border crossings. In addition, the Augmented Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS), a program that uses remotely monitored night-day cameras and sensing systems to better detect and monitor illegal crossings on the Canadian and Mexican borders is being used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Ports

Since 2001, the Federal Government has increased funding for port security by 700%, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This increase in funding has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to implement what it calls a "layered defense" against threats of terrorism. Under the new security procedures, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, Terminal Operator, and the Port Authority all share responsibility for protecting American ports. According to the Department of Homeland Security, these agencies screen 100% of all cargo that enters the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol utilizes X-ray, gamma ray machines, and radiation detection devices to screen cargo. Presently, CBP operates over 680 radiation portal monitors at American ports. It also uses over 170 large scale non-intrusive inspection devices to examine cargo and has issued 12,400 hand-held radiation detection devices to their agents. Finally, more than 600 canine teams that "can identify narcotics, bulk currency, human beings, explosives, agricultural pests, and chemical weapons" are working to secure at U.S. ports of entry. All these programs and tactics are used to secure Americans from the importation of weapons of mass destruction into the United States.

Airports

Airport security mechanisms must be quick, efficient, and effective due to the massive amounts of travelers. The computer system that helped to flag al-Banna is called the Automated Targeting System, or ATS. In addition to this software which is the most effective, officers must use intuition and clues within passports and actions. The ATS System works by collecting information from airlines such as passport data, credit card numbers, and identity information. That information is then run against a list of known terrorists, phone numbers connected to terrorist cells, and other pertinent intelligence data.

Initially, many airlines resisted the request of Homeland Security to submit passenger information to the government. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act requires airlines to give information of all U.S. bound travelers to the Department of Homeland Security. This helps the intelligence organizations to flag the appropriate individuals for additional screening. This helps TSA, FBI, CIA, and other organizations to create the SSSS and No Fly Lists.

In addition to the ATS System, anther mechanism to deter terrorists is utilized in case they are not detected by the flagging protocols. Federal Air Marshals are the law enforcement branch of the Transportation Security Administration. They fly either in uniform or incognito and act as the law enforcement while on board to protect passengers and crew members from criminals and terrorists.

When passengers are flagged to additional screening, there are two lists in which they will be placed. The SSSS system flags passengers for extra surveillance while in the airport but does not prohibit them from flying. These individuals, often referred to as "selectees", are pulled aside at security checkpoints and searched thoroughly. Their luggage may be hand searched. Individuals are added to the lists through airport screening processes. Individuals are potentially flagged if they have purchased a ticket in cash, purchased a ticket within the previous 24 hours, purchased a one way ticket, or arrived with no baggage.

The No Fly List, a comprehensive list of individuals prohibited from flying into or out of the United States, has exponentially grown in size. The List existed before 9/11 but only contained the names of 16 people and now lists over one million names. The List includes high profile individuals such as the Bolivian President and other foreign dignitaries. The List still contains 14 out of the 19 September 11 hijackers and several other deceased individuals.

The system occasionally leads to a "false positive" which is the accidental flagging of individuals that have similar names to suspected terrorists or are on the List for illegitimate reason. In some cases, children under the age of five have been flagged as suspects. It contains many common names such as Gary Smith or Robert Johnson which makes traveling very difficult for all individuals with that name. Several U.S. congressmen have name matches on the list including Senator Ted Kennedy, who has subsequently been stopped at airports. The List does not include the names of individuals involved in the liquid explosive terrorist attack attempt. TSA also reported that some of the names of the most dangerous terrorists are not on the list incase the List is leaked. Daniel Brown, a U.S. Marine returning from Iraq, was denied entry into the United States because his name matched one on the list. He later found out that he had been flagged on a previous flight for having gunpowder residue on his boots which was likely acquired during an earlier tour of duty in Iraq.

Future security outlook

Since September 11, 2001, the Federal Government has made many strides to improve the security of America's borders. The security apparatuses at the borders, ports, and airports have been transformed in a way that addresses the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and the illegal entry of terrorists into the United States. While the government has increased border security greatly over the past seven years, it is not certain that America is completely sheltered from the threat posed by terrorism.

See also

• Advance Passenger Information System