5 Essay Questions

1)  What actions prompted the border control offensive and made the issue of illegal immigration a priority?

     The actions that prompted the border control offensive began sometime between the 1980s and 1990s during this decade there was a large surge in the illegal immigrant population. This impact was mostly felt in California this sudden influx of people quickly caused a statewide crisis. The response to this mass influx, forced boarder agents to act in an attempt to secure its borders. During this period the border patrol increased their manpower and modernized technology.  Technology included modern computer processing systems, scopes, seismic sensors, Infrared night-vision and X-ray scanning equipment. Agents and technology were concentrated in specific areas, providing a "show of force". During this time period San Diego California, accounted for more than half of illegal entries into the United States. (Cbp.gov 2014)  

     The reasons that the issue of illegal immigration became a priority are due to the extreme finical burden of dealing with illegal immigrations, the lost jobs due to out of work immigrants and the sharp increase in smuggling and illicit activities.

2) Who is the enemy? From what or whom are we protecting the border? Is the enemy more than terrorism and terrorists?

     Who is the enemy that is a very difficult question to answer because who is the enemy really? The standard Mexican family that immigrates into the United States is only looking for a better life for themselves and their families. While this act is considered illegal does that make them the enemy? I think it is much deeper than that, I would say the enemies would be shared between the Mexican Cartels and the Mexican Government that drive regular families out of their homes in order to escape their current situation. Many of these families are force to live in fear and poverty. The boarders are being protected from a multitude of different things the primary focus is twofold the War on Drugs and the War on Terror. There is also a need to control the flow of illegal immigrants, if allowed to flow into the country unabated the burden on the economy, health care systems, housing markets and crime rate would be devastating. I believe the enemy is more than terrorism and terrorists. The problem is far deeper the problem is the demand for drugs in this country, where there is demand the law of the land insists there must be supply. Also poverty in a neighboring country forces immigrants to seek work to provide for their families. These two issues demand attention from CBP agents allowing for terrorist to extort shortages and weak areas.    

3) What is the connection between border enforcement and public health and Safety concerns?

     There are many connections between border enforcement and public health and safety concerns one of the most highly publicized and funded are connected with the War on Drugs. Organizations on the United States side and the Mexican side of the boarder are both working for on the prevention and treatment of drug problems the hope is to reduce the demand for drugs. Other health concerns come from the immigrants themselves, many of them are suffering from infectious diseases, severe dehydration, and are uninsured causing a massive financial strain on the United States medical system. Other safety concerns come from the possibility of a terrorist organization being able to smuggle a chemical or biological weapon across the border to target a major city. Border enforcement agents are on the front line of preventing these threats and treating the sick and dying.

References

Cbp.gov,. 'Border Patrol History | U.S. Customs And Border Protection'. Last modified 2014. http://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/history.