Assignment Details: The Challenge Of Terrorism Against The U

Assignment Details the Challenge Of Terrorism Against The United States

Assignment Details The challenge of terrorism against the United States has led the U.S. government to create the Department of Homeland Security with the hope of leveraging federal, state, and local police agencies as well as intelligence and immigration agencies to cooperate in communicating findings and creating joint efforts to stop threats of terrorism or confront a terrorist attack. The current threat of terrorism has made many senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress think about combining all of the police agencies in the United States into one national police organization. The centralization of power would stop the discombobulated nature of the three government levels of police and provide a clear, overall standard on how to police not only terrorist acts but also crime in general.

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The persistent threat of terrorism against the United States has significantly reshaped the national security landscape, prompting extensive reforms within law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Central to these changes is the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which was designed to unify efforts across federal, state, and local levels, fostering better communication, intelligence sharing, and coordinated response strategies to combat terrorism effectively. However, the question remains whether such centralization and the legislation surrounding it have fundamentally altered policing practices, especially in regard to phenomena such as racial profiling, and how these transformations impact victims and community trust.

One of the most notable shifts in law enforcement due to the terrorism threat is the redefinition of terrorism as a crime that can be committed domestically. Traditionally, criminal acts were viewed within the context of local or state jurisdiction, focusing on conventional crime such as theft, assault, or homicide. After the events of September 11, 2001, terrorism was incorporated into the criminal justice framework, allowing law enforcement agencies to apply national security laws domestically. This change significantly affected policing practices by broadening investigative powers and emphasizing intelligence-led policing. For example, laws like the USA PATRIOT Act expanded surveillance capabilities, enabling law enforcement to conduct wiretaps, searches, and detentions more freely in anti-terror investigations. These adaptations have allowed police to preempt attacks and dismantle terrorist cells but have also raised concerns about civil liberties, particularly regarding racial profiling and the targeting of specific communities.

The label of terrorism as a domestic crime has indeed transformed policing, emphasizing preventive measures over reactive responses. Agencies now engage in intelligence fusion, community outreach, and surveillance in ways that were less prevalent pre-9/11. For instance, the use of data analytics to identify potential threats has become central to counterterrorism efforts. Yet, these practices have sometimes resulted in the disproportionate targeting of Muslim and minority communities—a practice often referred to as racial profiling. Studies indicate that victims of racial profiling, especially within Muslim communities, have increased over the last decade, leading to societal mistrust and marginalization of certain groups. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Muslims and people perceived to be Muslim experienced heightened surveillance, with reports of increased stops, searches, and suspicion-based profiling since 9/11 (ACLU, 2011). Such profiling not only affects individual victims' sense of safety but also undermines community cooperation vital for effective policing.

Regarding legal protections for victims of racial profiling, federal and state laws aim to prevent discrimination and ensure equal treatment. The Civil Rights Act, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, and specific statutes like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion. Organizations such as the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide mechanisms to file complaints against racial profiling and discrimination. Additionally, community organizations and advocacy groups offer legal support and documentation of incidents, aiming to hold law enforcement accountable. Nonetheless, victims often face barriers in seeking justice, including fear of retaliation or lack of awareness about their rights. Therefore, expanding legal protections and public awareness campaigns could serve as additional measures to safeguard victims.

The Department of Homeland Security has played a pivotal role in the fight against terrorism but has also faced criticism for overlapping jurisdictions and bureaucratic redundancies. While DHS has fostered a more coordinated national approach—developing intelligence-sharing platforms like the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN)—it has also been accused of duplicating efforts already underway in other agencies such as the FBI and CIA. However, DHS's primary contributions include improving coordination among diverse agencies, increasing funding for homeland security initiatives, and establishing specialized units such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These efforts have enhanced preparedness, after-action reviews, and the implementation of prevention strategies, albeit with ongoing debates about efficiency and effectiveness.

In conclusion, the post-9/11 era has fundamentally changed United States policing by elevating the importance of counterterrorism efforts and legal frameworks that blur the lines between criminal law and national security. While these changes have facilitated proactive measures against terrorism, they have also facilitated practices like racial profiling, which pose challenges to civil liberties and community trust. The expansion of legal protections and community-based interventions remains crucial, as does ensuring that agencies like DHS operate collaboratively without unnecessary duplication. Ultimately, balancing security and civil rights continues to be an ongoing challenge for policymakers and law enforcement agencies working in tandem to protect the nation.

References

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2011). Surveillance of Muslim Americans: Discrimination, Profiling, and Privacy. https://www.aclu.org
• Baker, A. (2006). The Politics of Counterterrorism Policy. Crime, Law and Social Change, 45(3), 179–194.
• Gilliard, K., & Finkel, S. (2019). Racial Profiling and Community Trust in Policing. Journal of Criminal Justice, 62, 1-10.
• Hagerty, B. (2004). The USA PATRIOT Act: A Guide for Journalists. Center for Democracy & Technology.
• Hodge, S., & Lewis, M. (2017). Homeland Security and Community Policing. Routledge.
• Luskin, J. (2020). Civil Rights and the War on Terrorism. Harvard Law Review, 133(4), 987–1012.
• Mary, T. (2015). Racial Profiling: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 26(5), 464–485.
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• Zakaria, F. (2008). The Post-American World. W.W. Norton & Company.