U.S. Border Policies History Paper Example

Introduction

The United States border policies have been one of the revolutionizing aspects in the United States dating from the ancient days up to date. For the longest time now, there have been various aspects involving the U.S border policies. The U.S border policies dig deeper into border patrolling whereby every activity concerning the U.S border involves patrolling operations. Since the inception of the United States patrol in 1924, the U.S border policies have delivered a paramount and proud history in the strive to serve the nation. Although the concepts and structures of the U.S border policies have changed over the previous years and affected almost every aspect of the border patrol activities. The basic practices and values have played a significant role in shaping the border policies for the longest time while the honor, integrity, respect for human life, and professionalism have remained (Haddal, 2010).

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In consideration of the U.S border policies, the issue concerning border patrol is one of the critical aspects. For instance, problems of border patrol have been developing with the cases of immigration along with other events that may render an effect to the nation through the border. The United States Border Patrol is a part of the law enforcement arm of the United States Customs and Border Protection, that is also within the Department of Homeland Security and is playing an imperative role in guarding and securing the U.S border between the different point of entries bordering different nations. Specifically, the border is responsible for securing borders within the Mexican and Canadian international land links as well as 2,000 miles of coastal water around the island of Puerto Rico and the Florida Peninsula.

However, within the details of this paper, I will focus on the U.S border patrol or policies history. First, the article will focus on the origin of the U.S border policies then deliver details on the United States Border policies in the early years, war years, expansion and finally today's border policies.

Origin of the U.S Border Policies

From as early as the 1900s, the United States mounted security over the borders in an attempt to curb illegal crossings into America; however, the efforts undertaken by the safety were irregular. Through the activities occurring in the border lines, the border patrols could not cover every part of the border as the inspectors operated out of Texas as they tried to restrict the illegal immigration of Chinese through California. According to Hernandez (2010), After various interventions, in 1915 Congress authorized the activities of another border inspection group that rode horses. Regardless of the availability of the border security, the persons could not also deliver enough guard to the U.S border although they were authorized to make arrests. These immigration inspectors could not keep on watch all the time as they worked in shifts. In other occurrences, the efforts of border patrol were unproductive as the customs violations were posing a much broader concern that the enforcement of border migration laws. Through the years to 1917, there was a higher imposition of head tax among other requirements imposed in order an individual to enter the United States which on the other hand pushed the need for illegal immigration (Hernandez, 2010).

Moreover, there were other developments within the involvement of U.S border policies. For instance, the 18th amendment to the U.S constitution rendered a prohibition to the importation, transport, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in 1920. As the U.S constitution was amended the issue concerning immigration to the U.S received renewal as there were high numbers of people attempting to enter the U.S illegally. Also, the question concerning the U.S border patrol became more imperative to the United States Government which now set the need for change and development. However, duties to patrol the seacoast were not expanded before 1925 as there were other developments in 1924 that advocated for the need for strong U.S border policies (Hernandez, 2010).

U.S Border Policies During the Early Years

During the early years, as the border policies were now improving and considered imperative by the U.S government, more patrol officers were recruited to almost 450 officers especially from organizations such as Texas Rangers among others. As the border patrol received a badge and a revolver, so did the over the direction of the border policies change. For example, in 1932, there was a drastic change with the invention of two directors; one overlooking the Mexican border from El Paso, while the other overlooked the Canadian border from an office in Detroit. Majorly, the illegal immigration was facilitated by the smuggling of liquor; however, a large section of the U.S border overlooked the operations in the Canadian border.

However, in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt oversaw the combination of the Bureau of Naturalization and the Bureau of Immigration into Immigration and Naturalization Service. Also, it was in 1934 that the first border control academies were set up which was as a result of developed U.S border policies. Within the period in the early years about the U.S border policies, there was no major implementation despite the efforts by the government to ensure that illegal businesses did not go on within the borders. Also, it was during a time when the U.S government was registering concern regarding the importance of a safe border.

U.S Border Policies During the War Years

In the 1940s, the involvement of the U.S border policies remained constant as there were no significant shifts. However, during the war years, there was a need for law enforcement especially by the end of World War II. In the events of the war, the U.S border was under more security than previous occurrences as there was manning of the alien detention camps. During this period, the use of aircraft was one of the improvements that were seen in the event of the U.S border policies. The use of planes become an integral part in the effort to secure the U.S borderlines.

Additionally, According to The National Border Patrol Museum, in 1952, there was legislation involving the acts of 1917 and 1924, as the border agents were allowed to search for illegal immigrants in the United States and any illegal immigrant within the U.S was subject to arrest. In the same year, there were approximately 52,000 immigrants that were airlifted back to Mexico; however, the program faced a downfall following a loss of funds. During this occurrence, there were various deportations of immigrants all over the United States with the use of train trips, flights, and other bus trips which did not last for a long time. Different from the involvement of immigration activities by the United States government, other practices aimed at undertaking researches concerning border issues. Through the studies conducted, they helped inform the policymakers on the matters concerning the borders especially in the Canada- U.S border, as well as the Mexico-U. S border. Most of the underlying issues involved the observation of priorities such as economic relationships, human mobility, border security, as well as trade and transportation.

U.S Border Policies Today

Following the high increase in the population of illegal immigrants to the United States during the 1980s into the 1990s, there were various increases in the border policies. In most of the policy developments, the U.S government responded with an increase in the workforce and the implementation of technology as well. On the other hand, the policies are not only seeking to maintain security in the United States but also aiming to ensure that there is proper development of events such as trading among other factors that may occur within the borders. Moreover, to provide appropriate adherence to the border policies within the late 20th century, there was the invention of a level of control in 1993 which delivered immediate success (The National Border Patrol Museum).

With the interventions of technology as well as more agent training, the security has drastically improved; however, other occurrences are implying on the different measure that the U.S Government is undertaking to maintain that none of the rules are left unadhered. For instance, there was a drastic fall in the cases of arrests as the border security took a complete effort in California which was an account of more than half of the population comprising of illegal immigrants. It was in 1994 when the government introduced a policy to ensure proper reduction of illegal immigration through the California border at San Diego and later proved a 75% decrease. In other happenings, there was the creation of the Border Safety Initiative (BSI) in 1998 that looked to curb Mexican migration into the U.S and deliver a treat between the Mexican and United States authorities.

Correspondingly, with the new involvements of the U.S border policies in observing the border, Homeland Security assumed duties as a primary concern of the welfare of the nation after there was a terrorist attack in 2001. During this time frame, border security became a serious concern to the countries and stirred primary interests in Washington, and the government was now reassessing any policy overseeing events of border protection and how the borders could acquire more funds, monitoring, and stability as well. The Department of Homeland Security in 2003 gained establishment and every activity involving the U.S border policies became a section of the United States Customs and Border Protection. There is a significant need to deliver control to the borders especially with technological interventions that have become a vital stepping stone in the occurrence.

In 2004, President Bush signed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act which intended to ensure an increase in the workforce over the United States Border. With this policy, it increased the border patrol security. Later in 2006, President George W. Bush signed another border policy "The Secure Fence Act" which encountered great opposition as it involved the construction of the fence set to separate the U.S from Mexico. The details of this policy are among the most countered systems since there was a significant outcry from the environmental and wildlife groups that feared that the attempt would render destruction to the environment.

Before the occurrence of the September 2001 terrorist attack on America, the U.S border policies delivers flexibility especially in the handling of illegal immigrants. However, in events of the terrorist attack provided new dawn in the U.S history concerning the border policies and immigration. The border policies and rules tightened as legal permanent residents, U.S citizens and visitors were now required to provide a valid passport and other travel documentation before crossing the U.S border by air. However, those using other means of transport were not necessary to present a passport, but the possession of valid travel documents (such as immigration status and country of origin) was paramount. Similarly, there was more scrutiny as new policies were invented and the authorities were allowed to apprehend any individual involving in illegal drug trafficking that entered the United States at other points apart from the designated entry points (Border Network for Human Rights, 2008).

Along with the implementation of new border policies, the government is now pioneering the utilization of technology with is essential in the 21st century and critical in developing new laws as well adding to the existing policies concerning the United States border enforcement. The modernization is not just a development to keep the U.S border policies aligned according to the requirement but also set the record rig...