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Problem Statement: DHS Delivers Northern Border Threat Analysis Report to Congress
Core Idea: Technology
DHS has found that security issues are disrupting the relationships between countries USA and Canada. Hence, the core idea for increasing border security is to implement technologies-oriented methods. However, a universal fact is that automatic entry/exit system through technology will hamper cross border travelling for individuals. One of the technological support examples includes the use of wireless sensor network for border surveillance triggers command centre after gathering raw data to take defend actions (Felemban, 2013). Therefore, the core idea is that technology could work as an effective mechanism for increasing border security among two countries and their operations.
Fact and Assumptions
Assumption 1: Technology is a supportive tool for border security
It is one of the assumptions that technology, including any type which could offer protection at U.S. border. According to the Department of Homeland security, different technologies are incorporated into it. Some of the technologies are collectively presented such as electro-optical cameras, X-rays, lasers, chemical detectors, other sensors to limit the entry of illegal immigrants, as well as drugs (Military & Aerospace Electronics, 2018). Each of such technology will offer support for border security and will possibly improve the relations with other countries like Canada. Additionally, border security technologies at the US-Canada borderline will provide intel for any suspicious activities by generating an alarm.
Several technology-oriented programs are already implemented by the DHS to build a security feature. Hence, assumptions are made whenever technology will be implemented it will reduce border issues among the two countries. Whether it is terrorism, suspicious activities, immigrants’ concerns, and keeping strict control, Canada and U.S. border should consider all position options. According to DHS and congress planning measures, a new system is launched. Border crossing information system now collect personal information including name, birth date, gender, date and time of crossing so that intelligent investigations could be undertaken at times of criminal activities.
Assumption 2: Technology has unintentional consequences
Donald Trump has invested in high technology smart border with $100 million, including unmanned aerial drones and facial recognition systems for improving U.S. border operations (Cameron, 2019). However, one should assume that technologies do have vast consequences if not applied properly. However, privacy and security are hampered due to vulnerability with viruses, hackers, Trojan horse and cybersecurity threats (Chen, 2019). In other words, the smart border is a thermotical concept; however, technology could have tampered with cybersecurity issues which could reduce the US-Canada border relationships in a negative manner.
Assumption 3: Technology can Change Immigration Issues
Technologies are of various types and offer protection against intrusion for suspicious activities at the border. Immigrants are an essential part for U.S. economic growth captured 2.3 per cent since the year 2000 (House Budget Committee Democrats, 2019). However, the U.S. has become quite structured to deal with the immigrant problem. With Canada, immigrants come and visit the U.S. as part of their discovery. The implementation of technology on the US-Canada border could offer safe immigrant checking. It could also protect suspicious terrorist entities who visit countries as immigrations. Hence, it could be assumed that biometric technology as an identification procedure will provide faster immigrant checking protocol (Rowe, 2018).
References
Cameron, D. (2019). To Stop the Wall, Democrats Agree to Fund Mass Surveillance Near U.S. Border. [online] Gizmodo. Available at: https://gizmodo.com/to-stop-the-wall-democrats-agree-to-fund-mass-surveill-1832633266 [Accessed 26 Feb. 2020].
Chen, A. (2019). How far has technology come since the last ‘smart border’ failed?. [online] The Verge. Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18236515/smart-border-virutal-fence-surveillance-trump-borders-politics-policy [Accessed 26 Feb. 2020].
Felemban, E. (2013). Advanced Border Intrusion Detection and Surveillance Using Wireless Sensor Network Technology. International Journal of Communications, Network and System Sciences, 06(05), pp.251-259.
House Budget Committee Democrats. (2019). Congress Must Act on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. [online] Available at: https://budget.house.gov/publications/congress-must-act-comprehensive-immigration-reform [Accessed 26 Feb. 2020].
Military & Aerospace Electronics. (2018). The role of technology in securing the nation’s borders. [online] Available at: https://www.militaryaerospace.com/unmanned/article/16707261/the-role-of-technology-in-securing-the-nations-borders [Accessed 26 Feb. 2020].
Rowe, M. (2018). Borders of the future: how technology will change immigration and security systems | Civil Service World. [online] Civilserviceworld.com. Available at: https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/feature/borders-future-how-technology-will-change-immigration-and-security-systems [Accessed 26 Feb. 2020].
References