Immigration and Homeland Security 2
Abstract:
Immigration and homeland security are two entirely different fields that share a symbiotic
relationship in any given nation. Immigration alone can be as controversial as debating whether
the Earth is flat or not. The United States has battled threats since its emergence, both foreign
and domestic threats that require the interconnectedness of all federal, state, and local agencies.
However, it is typical that the threats that are posed on the US are known to be of ill intent and
obviously there are no beneficial aspects to the threats. Immigration on the other hand is such a
controversial debate on multiple levels due to it having the potential to be a threat to national
security and a fundamental testament to the US’s constitution. The reader has an excellent
opportunity to dive deeper into the current debates within the main idea that immigration and
homeland security share a relationship. This article will discuss debates such as the current
asylum rules and border regulations that are in place in the US today. Additionally, the reader
will be informed about some of the current laws and executive orders or rules that are impacting
immigration and its natural impact on national security. Rules such as the Title 42 rule, the Safe
3rd Country rule, and the Public Charge rule all have critical roles on immigration today and how
it impacts some of the debates that are being discussed regarding homeland security. The article
will additionally discuss how current presidential administrations will alter immigration and
homeland security laws, rules, or executive orders. Lastly, the reader will be introduced to an
outlook on the Christian worldview of immigration and homeland security, finding the nexus
between the word of God and the current debates in this topic.
Immigration and Homeland Security 3
I. INTRODUCTION:
The introduction will include a macro view of immigration since 9/11 and the inception of the
Department of Homeland Security. Introduce what main ideas will be covered as well as the
purpose for writing this article. What should the audience gain from reading this article?
II. The Current Debate Between Immigration and Homeland Security
A. One of the current debates between immigration and homeland security lies within the
current asylum guidelines and leniency (Nolo, 2021). As it stands, illegal immigrants can apply
for asylum in the United States just as legally processed immigrants can, stripping the incentive
from legal immigration processes. This point will mention the Trump administration’s efforts for
the “Safe 3rd Country” rule but will describe this rule in more detail in the 2nd main topic of this
article “Laws and Executive Orders”.
1 (a). Research:
Nolo. (2021, November 3). How an undocumented immigrant can get asylum in the U.S.
www.alllaw.com. https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/can-undocumented-
immigrant-get-asylum.html#:~:text=The%20fact%20that%20you%20are,during%20your
%20immigration%20court%20hearing.
Immigration and Homeland Security 4
B. An additional debate regarding immigration and homeland security is whether the
borders should be more or less restricted than what they are now. Some individuals in favor of
fewer border restrictions make statements such as, “Under U.S. immigration law, it is illegal for
anyone in the world to travel or immigrate to the United States unless they fall into very narrow
exceptions.” (Bier, 2021, p.1). On the other hand, many Americans feel as if the border should
continue to become more secure seeing as the number of homicides in the US related to
immigration has fallen 36% from 1991 to 2015 (Felbab-Brown, 2017).
1 (b). Research:
Bier, D. J. (2021). Biden’s Border Policy Is Not “Open Borders”. . Cato.org.
https://www.cato.org/blog/bidens-border-policy-not-open-borders
Felbab-Brown, V. (2023, June 17). The wall: The real costs of a barrier between the United
States and Mexico. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-wall-the-real-costs-of-a-
barrier-between-the-united-states-and-mexico/#price-tag
III. Laws and Executive Orders
A. Title 42 is one of the rules that was a crucial part of the coronavirus and border
security. Title 42 states that individuals who come from a country with current viruses or
illnesses can be sent back to their country with no trial or questions (Ellis and Kuhn, 2023).
1 (a) . Research:
Immigration and Homeland Security 5
Ellis, N., & Kuhn, C. (2023, January 13). What is Title 42 and what does it mean for immigration
at the southern border?. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-is-title-42-and-what-
does-it-mean-for-immigration-at-the-southern-border
B. In addition to the Title 42 rule, there is a more conservative-sided push for a Safe 3rd
Country Rule. This rule was introduced by the Trump Administration and aims to decrease the
number of individuals seeking asylum in the United States to go around the troubles of becoming
legal citizens. The rule essentially requires an immigrant to seek asylum in another host country
prior to seeking asylum in the US, ultimately putting pressure on countries such as Mexico and
Guatemala, countries that immigrants often pass through to make it to the US (Chappell, 2019).
1(b). Research:
Chappell, B. (2019, July 15). Trump administration implementing “safe 3rd Country” rule on
migrants seeking asylum. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/07/15/741769333/u-s-sets-new-
asylum-rule-telling-potential-refugees-to-apply-elsewhere
C. The Public Charge rule is the third subtopic that will be discussed. The Public Charge
rule has been around for many years and generally is altered by each respective administration in
office. The Public Charge rule recently has undergone changes by the Biden administration to
loosen restrictions on benefits and accommodations offered to immigrants who are permanent
residents of the United States (Joinville, 2023).
1 (c). Research:
Immigration and Homeland Security 6
Joinville, A. (2023, January 26). What you need to know about the updated public charge rule:
Office of Community Empowerment and opportunity. City of Philadelphia.
https://www.phila.gov/2023-01-26-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-updated-public-charge-
rule/
IV. CONCLUSION
Immigration and homeland security are two entirely different fields that share a symbiotic
relationship in any given nation. It is clear that immigration directly affects homeland security
and how safe a nation such as the United States can be. The current debate regarding homeland
security and immigration includes topics such as the asylum issue and whether the US borders
require additional restrictions or if they are too restricted as they are and should be more open to
immigration. Additionally, the audience understands the essential laws and executive orders or
rules that surround the current state of immigration in the United States. These rules such as Title
42, the Safe 3rd Country rule, and the Public Charge rule add to the national security efforts that
immigration challenges. To conclude a rather complex way to discuss immigration and the
affects it has on homeland security, the United States will likely continue to see immigration
changes within administrations for the better and worse.
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Immigration and Homeland Security 7
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