Border and Coastal Security: Balancing National Security, Identity, and Sovereignty in Open versus Closed Border Policy
Overview
This reflection paper examines the critical debate between open and closed border policies in the United States, particularly following 9/11. The author analyzes the costs and benefits of America's closed border policy regarding national security, identity, and sovereignty, arguing that a revamped immigration system could address humanitarian concerns while maintaining security without compromising the nation's foundational identity as a nation of immigrants.
What this reflection paper covers
- Introduction addressing open versus closed border policy post-9/11 and America's historical context as a nation of immigrants
- Analysis of closed border policy justifications including national security, migration control, and trade rationalization, and their counterproductive effects
- Discussion of America's multicultural identity and economic benefits of immigration, countering security threats with evidence that most immigrants are law-abiding
- Proposed solution advocating for an improved immigration system that balances security screening with economic opportunity
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Border and Coastal Security
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Border and Coastal Security
This reflection paper will address the critical issue of open versus closed borders covered in the Border and Coastal Security material. One of the most important questions after the 9/11 attack was whether the US should implement an open or closed border. Although settlers found America, its immigration policy is essentially closed borders. For instance, there are very narrow exceptions under which an individual must fall to immigrate to the US. However, legal and illegal immigrants have continued to migrate to the US to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities the government gives its citizens. Given the pros and cons of an open versus closed border, this reflection paper will reflect on America’s border controls regarding national security, identity, and sovereignty.
America’s closed border policy has been justified to ensure national security, control migration, and rationalize trade. However, the forces of globalization are making it more difficult for the US to sustain tight border controls. For instance, the US Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies spend millions of dollars yearly protecting the country’s borders (Chamie, 2021). Border enforcement and policing are not only expensive but counterproductive in certain aspects. For instance, while the Trump Administration made great strides in containing illegal immigration and trafficking, it also emboldened criminal organizations to create a lucrative human and drug smuggling market. America’s closed border policy has also created a humanitarian crisis on the Southwestern border.