The Importance Of Homeland Security

The role of Homeland Security originated from the Founding Fathers, under the United States Constitution, that created a system and gave the primary role of homeland security to state and local governments (Oliver, 2007). When state and local governments became overwhelmed and could no longer effectively deal with a crisis then homeland security government would assist those governments (Oliver, 2007). The relationship was created through the United States Constitution in Article 4, Section 4, which declared that “the United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence” (U.S. Constitution, 2015) (Oliver, 2007). President John F. Kennedy was elected 1961, and made it a priority to necessitate organizational changes with homeland security (Oliver, 2007). President John F. Kennedy felt that local governments were doing little if anything to prepare for natural disasters and civil defense (Oliver, 2007). This became a priority for the Kennedy administration, and the office of civil and Defense mobilization was split into two agencies that became known as the Office of Emergency Planning and the Office of Civil Defense (Oliver, 2007).

When the topic of Homeland Security is introduced, the first thought that comes to mind is either 9/11 or the Transportation Security Administration, TSA for short. No matter the reference, most Americans know that Homeland Security has something to do with Terrorism. Until an actual attack occurs, or election season begins, the average person may never give any thought or credit to the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security goes far beyond terrorism and terrorism prevention. Homeland Security does not just encompass holding individuals up at airports for multiple hours to intentionally hinder passengers from catching their flight out of the Caribbean. Homeland Security is multiple levels of legislation; law and policy to prevent

In February of 2003, Homeland Security Presidential Directive- 5 was published. The purpose of this directive was “To enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents by establishing a single, comprehensive national incident management system.” (2003). The directive goes on to state that beginning in the fiscal year of 2005, all federal departments and agencies will be required the adoption of NIMS. It also states that for those seeking federal assistance financially would have to adopt NIMS in order to qualify for federal grants.

“The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the federal United States Department of Homeland Security. Its stated mission is to secure the nation against terrorist attacks, to protect against and respond to threats and to ensure safe and secure borders” (Andrew, C., & Walter, F., 2013). “In addition to reducing the nation’s vulnerability to terrorism, the act was also created minimize the damage and facilitate recovery from any attacks that may occur” (Homeland Security, Department of, 2017). Many people want protection from dangerous situations, but what’s the cost of protection.

After the terrorist attack September 11, 2001, the United States government increased their investments in security. Many innocent lives were lost because of that incident, which worried the United States of America about self-defense or Homeland Security. Homeland Security was signed to become a law by the President George W. Bush in November 2002. Their main priority was to secure the country from the threats such as international terrorism. The Department of Homeland security had to focus on five goals such as prevent terrorism, enhance security, secure the borders, enforce immigration laws, safeguard, and cyberspace. In order to achieve these goals a lot of work was needed.

1. Is the "war on terrorism" truly a war? In your opinion, how has the New Terrorism affected and redefined how nations pursue warlike options?

Security, however you may think of it the measures we take for it can never enough. It's like insurance you have it not because you want something to happen but because you know that things do happen. That is the United States Border Patrol and Customs they are our first line of defense to the war on drugs and the war on terrorism, for that they have the illegal immigration policy and the pros and cons (www.kyma.com/news/securing-america/646148044.).

The security of the United States and living without being under a constant threat should be very important to all citizens and those who visit this country. The research revealed some interesting facts, it is impossible to secure every commercial building, airport, bridge, bypass, and government building. One element of the security is that terrorists will not have the ability to attack every place in the United States. However, everything is a possible target and terrorists want to do as damage as possible and cause the greatest amount of disruption in our way of life as possible.

This program is the Department of Homeland Security’s final priority to “plan, train, and equip police, fire, and paramedics to react successfully to terrorism; and promotes recovery with the assistance of disaster specialists.” (Homeland Security, 2015) One of the examples of disaster specialists that help assist in disasters like Hurricane Katrina is the Federal Emergency Management Agency also known as FEMA. FEMA helps communities with reducing their risk, helps its different agency officials prepare for all types of hazards, and also helps people in communities get back on their

As previously established, the United States, a country with borders stretching over thousands of miles, lacks the capacity to fully observe and protect every corner of its territory. Some individuals seem unmoved by so many undocumented persons entering the country, stating that “borders should generally be open and… people should normally be free to leave their country of origin and settle in another…” (Higgins 528). However, these proponents of open borders neglect to recognize that as hundreds of illegal immigrants cross the borders, the issue of terrorism and overall safety becomes a major concern. Without undergoing the proper restrictions and precautions required to enter the United States, these illegal immigrants could potentially be a major threat to the country. So in order to decrease these Terrisits attacks in the United States, we need to strengthen the border security. Because of the events of 9/11 and the expanding population of displaced people, the legislature of the United States has consistently expanded its endeavors to upgrade national security over the previous years. The Secure Fence Act of 2006, marked into law by George W. Shrubbery, ordered the development of 652 miles of wall along our Southern fringes. What's more, as of February 2012, DHS has finished 651 miles of obstructions. As per DHS, the quantity of Border Patrol specialists

The idea of securing the nation’s borders and securing the safety of the citizens has been a major topic since the beginning of the nation’s existence. There have always been means and procedures for it but it was never defined to the point it is today. The Homeland Security Department is a fairly new program which is constantly improving and adjusting in accordance to the threats that may arise. In the attempt to secure the United States, homeland security has become paramount and a lot of emphasis is being provided so as to ensure the safety of the borders and the citizens of the United States. So one must ponder what the difference between homeland security and homeland defense are since they both tend to mean the same

On September 21st, 2001 only eleven days after 911, a day that will go down in infamy because of the terrorist attacks on the twin towers, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was appointed as the first Director of the Office of Homeland Security. The nation fell to pieces after this horrible attack. Just shy of 3,000 people lost their lives, and thousands of families lost loved ones. Never before had the United States lived in such fear and uncertainty. Something needed to be done, and it had to happen quickly.With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security our borders, and even our cyberspace is safer. We, as citizens of the United States of America, can worry less about terroristic threats on our lives. Homeland Security has

In this research paper, it will discuss the types of borders the United States has, what are the threats associated with the border, and what strategies are in place with Canada and Mexico to combat and prevents these threats from entering the country.

For as long as I can remember our country has been involved in some form of conflict. With these conflicts came groups who sought to hurt the U.S. on its sovereign soil. I was in pre-k when the Boeing 757’s hit the Twin Towers in New York. My mother checked me out of school after it occurred; she had a sense of urgency to get my brother and I home. I didn’t know what was going on and I was frightened because my mom was as well. When we got home she went straight to the television and turned it to the news. I did not really understand what I was seeing other than a couple of buildings that were on fire. As I grew older the more my understanding of what occurred that tragic day did too. I began to feel a sense of sorrow and that was the initial I needed to set my mind on the track to become a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The task of the FBI is not to only investigate the scene after a major event like what occurred in New York, but their main focus is to stop any form of attack before it begins. April 2013, two brothers planted bombs at the Boston Marathon finish line, killing a few and injuring a couple of hundreds of people. Again, I feel this sense of sorrow, but this time I began questioning, “How safe is our country from attacks?” July 2015, Chattanooga, Tennessee a man began to open fire on the recruiting office… He killed five people four of which were Marines and the other a sailor. This act was my breaking point, my determination to

“We have learned as a Nation that we must maintain a constant, capable, and vigilant posture to protect ourselves against new threats and evolving hazards. But we have also learned that vigilance and protection are not ends in and of themselves, but rather necessary tools in the service of our national purpose.”(Napolitano, 2010, p.iv) In the wake of the September 11th, 2001 attacks our nation has taken upon itself extreme vigilance to ensure the security and defense of the American people. The relationship between homeland security and homeland defense is one that is tightly knit. Each has a very distinct mission set but somewhere along the spectrum they cross over and mutually support each other in the best interest of the nation.